BAE Systems aims to reduce cost & increase speed of combat aircraft manufacture through Renishaw 3D printing partnership

BAE Systems is to work with Renishaw in a bid to develop additive manufacturing capability that will reduce the cost and increase the speed of manufacturing future combat aircraft. A Memorandum of Understanding signed by both companies has set a framework to maximise the application of additive technology and opens up the potential for joint research and development in the future. The partnership was struck at BAE’s Samlesbury, Lancashire manufacturing facility which is already home to a number of Renishaw’s metal additive manufacturing systems. At this location, BAE has set up 1,000 square-metre New product Development & Process Development Centre where staff test emerging technologies, such as 3D printing and Virtual Reality, with a view to incorporating them into the company’s aircraft design and manufacture operations.