Stratasys and AM Craft Partner to Advance 3D Printed Aviation Parts
Stratasys, a leader in advanced 3D printing technologies across diverse industries, has joined forces with AM Craft, an aviation manufacturing innovator from Latvia. This strategic partnership, built on the combined expertise of both companies, is set to significantly boost the production and adoption of flight-certified 3D printed parts in the aerospace sector.
The partnership involves a definitive commercial collaboration agreement and a strategic investment by Stratasys in AM Craft. This alignment will enable the two companies to capitalize on their respective strengths, with Stratasys bringing its extensive experience in additive manufacturing and AM Craft offering its specialized knowledge in polymer additive manufacturing, design, and airworthiness certification.
Airlines can replace discontinued seat arm caps, trays, and cupholders with 3D printed versions. (Photo Credits: Business Wire)
AM Craft’s possession of an EASA Part 21G Production Organization Approval is a critical factor in this collaboration. This approval addresses a critical obstacle in adopting 3D printed parts in aviation by delivering certified components to airlines, maintenance, repair, and overhaul organizations, as well as OEMs. This ensures that essential parts are available precisely when and where they are needed, streamlining supply chain complexities.
Jeff Hemenway, Senior Vice President at Stratasys, emphasized the significant challenges faced by the aviation aftermarket, characterized by low volume and high variability. “The low volume, high mix nature of the aviation aftermarket has resulted in extreme challenges to supply even the most minor of parts necessary to keep global fleets flying,” he stated. Hemenway reassured that additive manufacturing offers a cost-effective solution, producing parts at the required rates and volumes. AM Craft’s EASA-approved certification reduces the burden on end customers, guaranteeing reliability and safety regarding 3D printed components.
Expanding the Global Production Network
As part of the agreement, Hemenway will join the AM Craft board of directors, reinforcing the collaboration between the two entities. Currently, AM Craft manufactures aviation components in Europe and has successfully extended its Production Organization Approval to Paradigm 3D, a partner company in Dubai. On the other hand, Stratasys produces certified aviation parts through its subsidiary, Additive Flight Solutions, in Singapore. Under the new partnership, AM Craft will take ownership and operational control of AFS, extending its production network to Southeast Asia, with plans to establish a new facility in Hamburg, Germany, within the coming months.
The integrated network, operating 13 printers under EASA 21G approval, has already produced over 28,000 flight parts. Looking ahead, the partnership will explore potential collaborations with Stratasys Direct Manufacturing in the United States, leveraging their extensive equipment base to enhance production capabilities further. Scott Sevcik, AM Craft’s VP of Strategy and Business Development, expressed his optimism about the partnership, stating:
Aviation is a global industry, and our customers see localization of production as a major advantage that AM Craft can offer. By aligning with Stratasys and Additive Flight Solutions, we are better able to meet our customers’ needs to be in more major MRO hubs. . . We believe that this collaboration with Stratasys, as well as other major aviation suppliers and distributers, will help us to accelerate our future growth.”
What do you think of this partnership between Stratasys and AM Craft? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter here for the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel
