Arconic, Airbus team up on 3D-printed airplane parts

Arconic and Airbus will work together to 3D print parts for airplanes under a research agreement announced Wednesday.

The two companies will develop the processes and specifications needed to produce and test large parts such as pylon spars and rib structures up to 3 feet in length.

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, can create lighter and more complex parts for airplanes for less money and in less time, Arconic Executive Vice President Eric Roegner said in a statement.

“This agreement combines the expertise of two of the world's top aerospace additive manufacturing companies to push the boundaries of 3D printing for aircraft production,” Roegner said.

Arconic, which is headquartered in New York and has about 1,700 employees in the Pittsburgh area, will use its Arconic Technology Center in Upper Burrell and advanced manufacturing facility in Cleveland, Ohio, for the work.

Arconic and Airbus already work together on 3D-printed airplane parts. Arconic produces a 3D-printed titanium bracket for the Airbus A350 XWB at a facility in Austin, Texas. Last year, Airbus and Arconic announced three agreements to print parts. Under those deals, Arconic prints titanium and nickel parts such as fuselage and engine pylon components.

Aaron Aupperlee is a Tribune-Review staff writer.