Additive Manufacturing
With the synergy of additive and precision manufacturing techniques, we actively support our MRO businesses and strive to be the preferred part solution provider for the aviation industry, delivering to customers on demand with quick turnaround times.
Our Advanced Manufacturing Design Centre (AMDC) offers a diverse suite of quality replacement and bespoke parts that are certified for services. Our parts and services have been approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
With the Additive Manufacturing (AM) Community of Practice within ST Engineering, our cross-disciplinary team of engineers and subject-matter experts take AM solutions beyond aviation and apply them in the defence, tech and land transportation industries.
Our Solutions
Tap on our track record and expertise in product design and airworthiness certification. With our qualified processes, materials and machines, we are your one-stop solution provider for:
Services and Capabilities
We provide end-to-end, turnkey engineering solutions empowered by additive and precision manufacturing techniques. Leverage our services and capabilities to develop complete and targeted solutions for maximum value creation:
- A wide range of machines, technologies and materials
- AM-driven engineering design integrating with manufacturing
- Qualified AM processes and workflows
- Optimising print strategies for optimum quality and economics
- Verification and validation
- Expanding the AM ecosystem for wider and improved applications
Enabling RSAF missions with Additive Manufacturing
We are enabling the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)’s missions with our AM solutions. We support the aircraft’s aeromedical evacuation capability by designing and printing custom-made mounts for medical equipment on-board the RSAF’s A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, a next-generation tanker aircraft capable of conducting Air-to-Air Refuelling and airlift roles simultaneously.
A Regional Trailblazer for Large-Scale Parts
In the ACCESS lavatory for persons with reduced mobility, 11 parts are made from AM including some of the largest parts that can be achieved through the process. From digital design to physical reality, the full set of parts took the team just over 20 days to fabricate. For each print job, our engineers analysed the toolpaths and airflow in the build chamber to ensure maximum part quality and print stability. As a testament to our growth and advancement in AM know-how, the Advanced Manufacturing Design Centre (AMDC) provides aviation-qualified processes and materials to help customers turn concepts into reality on time and on demand.
Collaborating to Boost the Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem
We continuously innovate to expand our capabilities and engineer the best solutions for our customers. In 2020, we kicked off a 3-year Joint Lab programme with Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research, with over 20 projects to enhance end-to-end AM solutions through feedstock management and qualification, developing high productivity AM solutions, and new post-processing techniques for both polymer and AM parts alike. We also actively work with subject matter experts from SMEs to overcome hurdles and achieve part functional requirements.
Cutting Lead Time for Aircraft-on-Ground Situations
Through AM technology, we cut down the delivery time for a customer’s faulty End Cap Cover from over 3 months to 15 days. Once the part was identified, it took our engineers only 3 days to fully re-engineer it and develop a prototype for our customer to physically evaluate the solution. Following that, the part was printed with engineering-grade plastic using our Fortus printer to satisfy the aircraft’s airworthiness requirements.
FAA-Approved 3D printed Arm Caps
We were awarded the Parts Manufacturer Approval by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for our high-quality 3D printed economy seat arm caps. We are now certified to produce and install these replacement parts - re-engineered to be more durable - on aircraft for customers who require FAA certification.
As the leading MRO service provider using AM to support customer needs, our portfolio of certified AM solutions has been growing steadily.
Intricate Geometries Made Possible
With our Digital Systems business, we worked on a proof-of-concept project involving a small, intricate device around 2cm wide. Printed in 316L stainless steel, the device had fine features and internal channels that would have been impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing. At its thinnest, the device is only 0.3mm thick – thinner than the average fingernail.
To ensure print success, our engineers at AMDC made small but critical design tweaks and formulated printing strategies to overcome manufacturing issues unique to the part's production.