Piper Aircraft M600 Turboprop To Use First Production Part Using 3D Technology

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After creating an additive manufacturing center in Q3 2018, Piper Aircraft recently produced its first production part using 3D printing technology. The non-flight-critical component is part of the Piper M600’s environmental ducting system. (Photo courtesy of Piper Aircraft.)

Back in Q3 2018, Piper Aircraft established an additive manufacturing center with the aims of integrating new technology into its manufacturing process and reducing overall costs. That initiative recently bore its first fruit when the Vero Beach, Florida,-based manufacturer of single- and twin-engine business aircraft, trainers, and personal models produced its first production part using 3D printing technology. Piper created the component, part of the environmental ducting for its M600 turboprop aircraft, using an HP Multi Jet Fusion 4200 3D printer.

Non-Flight-Critical Part Creation

Piper Aircraft notes that since establishing its additive manufacturing center, it has worked to identify aircraft parts it can manufacture using 3D printing. Further, the company has worked to create and test various non-flight critical parts with the goal of receiving approval from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). In coming months, Piper says it plans to broaden its use of 3D printing to include “a multitude of parts,” noting that this is “a key factor in improving throughput, controlling costs, and maintaining quality.”

In a statement, Simon Caldecott, Piper Aircraft president and CEO, says the ability for Piper to print parts and components on-site instead of purchasing them from a parts/component supplier enables Piper to “create parts on demand, control quality, increase our speed from engineering to manufacturing, and focus on building the aircraft.” Caldecott says implementing the additive manufacturing process has saved the company hundreds of work hours, which has led to considerable cost-savings. “We are excited to expand our use of additive manufacturing across all product lines,” he says.

Piper Aircraft Models

In addition to the M600, Piper produces M500 and M350 M-Class series models, as well as Seneca V, Archer LX, and Archer DLX personal aircraft and Class Pilot 100/100i, Archer TX, Archer DX, Arrow, Seminole, and Seneca V trainers.

You’ll find a huge, varied selection of new and used Piper Aircraft models for sale every day on Controller.com. Besides M600s, Arrows, Archers, and Senecas, other popular models for sale include Piper Cheyennes, Navajos, Malibus, and Cherokees.

Source: Piper Aircraft