BAE Systems & Renishaw to jointly develop 3D Printing capability for the aerospace sector

A Collaboration that will help reduce costs and speed up manufacturing processes

BAE Systems and Renishaw will join forces to develop additive manufacturing capability for the defence and aerospace sector.

BAE Systems develops new technologies to protect people and national security, and keeps critical information and infrastructure secure. As for Renishaw, whoever reads 3D ADEPT Media knows the company as a manufacturer of metal AM systems in the industry.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stipulates that Renishaw will bring its expertise in AM to maximise the application of this manufacturing technique.  The agreement also opens up opportunities for joint research and development.

The MoU was signed by Manufacturing & Materials Strategy & Technology Director for BAE Systems, Andy Schofield, and Will Lee, Chief Executive, Renishaw, during a visit to BAE Systems’ facilities in Samlesbury, Lancashire.

The site is already home to several Renishaw advanced AM machines which form part of a 1,000 square metre dedicated New Product Development & Process Development Centre (NPPDC), where the latest emerging technologies and processes such as AM and Virtual Reality are explored and tested for application into aircraft design and manufacture. “With a particular focus on additive manufacturing, investments into technologies like those provided by Renishaw help to ensure we remain at the cutting edge of aerospace manufacturing, exploiting the latest technologies and processes to continually improve its advanced manufacturing capabilities.

We began research into additive manufacturing techniques more than two decades ago and are currently using the technology to make production standard components for the Typhoon fighter aircraft. It is also applied in the rapid prototyping of new technology concepts as part of a drive to deliver Tempest – a capable, affordable and exportable next generation future combat air system”, explains Schofield.

Will Lee said: “We have a great relationship already with BAE Systems, developed over many years through the application of our metrology products and have more recently worked with them on evaluating and understanding the performance envelope of our AM systems. We are delighted that they have been impressed with our systems, and this, together with our vision for AM development, has led to the strengthening of our collaboration. We look forward to the exciting opportunities that this strategic collaboration presents to further develop AM technologies for demanding aerospace production applications.”

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