APWorks and Dassault Systèmes partner to bring AM to aerospace and defense

Airbus APWorks GmbH, a subsidiary of Airbus who specializes in 3D metal printing, has announced a partnership with Dassault Systèmes at the Paris Air Show. This new collaboration will help both the aeronautics and defense industries to make greater use additive manufacturing for mass production.

The aerospace sector has had a positive shake-up, thanks to additive manufacturing. Through this technology, it has enabled the creation of more complex yet lighter parts at unbeatable costs. So it comes as no surprise that Airbus has turned to this technology and additive manufacturing experts, to create designs that are more effective and efficient.

APWorks and Dassault Systèmes will work together to develop a process that will enable them to master all the parameters involved in the additive manufacture, thus allowing them to better manage their value chain. The partnership is based in particular on the use of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, a software solution dedicated to the creation of value throughout the company. By partnering with APWorks, they will also gain the key expertise they need. An example of what they can do being seen with the Light Rider motorcycle.

The Light Rider motorcycle

“The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is a first important step to replicable and scalable serial production,” explained Joachim Zettler, CEO of APWorks. “Simulation can help to predict and avoid part failures. The aviation industry is safety-oriented and new product introductions typically take time. With the virtual validation of the additive manufacturing process, we can expect certified serial additively manufactured parts.”

The partnership between ApWorks and Dassault Systèmes will give them the ability to obtain a single source of data to handle upstream material design and downstream manufacturing and testing. Through this, the manufactured parts will be easily adapted to the requirements needed and to the specific parameters. Their collaboration will also enable virtual validation at each step of the process, ensuring the final product meets every requirement.

The Dassault Systèmes platform will allow for better integration of additive manufacturing throughout the production chain

“Virtual technologies and additive manufacturing are enabling the industrial world to do more with less waste, weight, and costs, as well as freeing designers to explore complex shapes that could not be manufactured using traditional processes,” explained Michel Tellier, Vice President of Aerospace & Defense Industry, Dassault Systèmes. “Only by reducing the distance between real and virtual to zero can industry build and experience the future. Dassault Systèmes is joining efforts with leading-edge innovators in this field like APWorks to accelerate technology adoption in the industry.”

You can find the official press release here.

Do you think that the partnership between APWorks and Dassault Systèmes will accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing in the aerospace and defense industry? Let us know in a comment blow or on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter, with all the latest news in 3D printing delivered straight to your inbox!