AMS Takes Recycled Titanium into Flight

QinetiQ has claimed a first for global aviation: flying an aircraft with 3D-printed parts created from recycled titanium

QinetiQ has claimed a first for global aviation: flying an aircraft with 3D-printed parts created from recycled titanium.

The British firm recovered metallic components from a decommissioned aircraft and used them to produce a hinge that attached an air data boom to an A109 helicopter.

The work was done in collaboration with Lancashire-based Additive Manufacturing Solutions Limited (AMS Ltd.), which converted the scrap metal into aerospace-grade titanium powder for use in the 3D-printing process.

Its proprietary method reportedly has a 97-percent efficiency rate, reduces waste, and could give military forces an edge when working with expensive materials like titanium.