According to the Spanish “Economist” website recently reported that the components of the new generation of Racer helicopters have been prepared at the factory of Airbus Helicopters in Marignane, France.
The report said the Racer helicopter will be final assembled in 2022 and put into subsequent flight activities. The parts include 3D-printed aluminum, titanium and plastic antennas and mounts for cameras, among others. This is the first time a component produced using additive manufacturing has been installed on an Airbus helicopter. The technology is mainly developed by the Spanish Centre for Advanced Research in Aerospace Technology (CATEC) in Andalusia, Spain.
The report also said that the Racer helicopter demonstrator, a complex structure designed and built entirely in Spain, will be a new addition to Airbus’ high-speed helicopters in the future. The new generation of Racer will be able to reach a cruising speed of more than 400 kilometers per hour, compared with the current cruising speed of ordinary helicopters of 260 kilometers per hour, making it the best option for emergency medical transport missions and search and rescue operations.
The report pointed out that CATEC’s contribution to the demonstrator is to use different metal alloys (titanium and aluminum) and plastic materials, and apply various manufacturing techniques to produce a series of parts through additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) technology. CATEC manufactures the components of the secondary structure, such as the mounts for the cameras and the VOR navigation antenna, as well as other components that belong to the primary structure.
Fernando Lassani, Director of Materials and Process Technology at CATEC, said: “Our partnership with Airbus Helicopters to manufacture the Racer helicopter demonstrator presented a major challenge for the flight qualification of these components. Thanks to CATEC’s extensive experience in developing and using additive manufacturing in the aerospace sector, this collaboration represents another important step in the practical application of 3D printing technology in the aerospace industry.”
According to reports, CATEC, the only European and probably the only institution in the world that has achieved practical application of 3D printing technology in satellites, space probes, launchers, commercial and military aircraft over the past 10 years, is now adding this A technology is extended to the helicopter. The growing competition between 3D printing and other manufacturing processes in the aerospace sector is profoundly changing the future prospects of the industry.