Components that have been rapid-manufactured by laser-sintering plastic powder directly from CAD models are being used routinely by a luxury commercial aircraft manufacturer in the USA. The news comes from one of its contract suppliers, Paramount PDS, which is producing aircraft parts from flame retardant polyamide powder, PA 2210 FR, developed by the German company, EOS.
The material has passed independent testing for aircraft burn, smoke and toxicity, as well as UL 94 V-0 flammability. It is available in the UK through subsidiary, EOS Warwick, for use with the company’s range of laser-sintering machines. As it met all of the relevant regulations, Paramount proceeded with rapid-manufacturing of more than a dozen flight hardware components.