Rough seas not only make smooth sailors. They also make smooth engineers who can find innovative solutions to choppy conditions. This is especially true when it comes to aviation, as helicopters are frequently tasked with embarking onto ships during all different types of weather conditions.
Once helicopter flying operations have ceased, helicopters will either stay on the flight deck or be stowed in the ship’s hanger. Helicopters use automatic folding software, folding in their blades like a bumblebee.
Nonetheless, the issue of stabilization remains a key priority when it comes to the smoothest embarkation possible. This is achieved by using a main rotor blade restraint cradle.
Nonetheless, as Gary Wilson, head of Technical Sales at their AeroAddtive division tells us: "When a helicopter is on board a ship, it has the facility to fold its helicopter blades back. Once the helicopter blades are folded back at sea, it's still windy, and the blades can flap. So, these blades need to be restrained so this flapping doesn't occur."
For the aerospace and defense giant Leonardo - tasked by the Ministry of Defence to provide AgustaWestland AW101s for the Royal Navy - they found that their pre-existing main rotor blade restraint cradles were not living up to their standard. Leonardo turned to SFM Technology and their AeroAdditive section to provide a solution.
The result was the first main rotor blade restraint cradle – measuring 900 x 230 x 160mm - created with 3D printing.
3D printing provides the solution
As a solution had to be found very quickly, SFM turned immediately to the possibilities of additive manufacturing. As Wilson said, "This is quite a long process, so we had a look at many aspects of 3D printing. We must look at cost, efficiency, and of course, the size, which pushed us to BigRep.
Eventually, we looked at the BigRep PRO as we had to look at a production 3D printer, which I believe the BigRep PRO can provide. The machine is used as a production machine, so every rotor blade restraint cradle will be going to the end customer."
3D printing versatility
In the aerospace industry, lightweight yet strong parts are essential. SFM Technology found through stress-testing that their 3D-printed printed parts performed better than original, nonprinted parts. By using Hi-Temp CF – a carbon fiber reinforced material with versatile, high strength properties – the blades have a powerful resistance to wear and tear as well as any external pressure.
The benefits have been manifold. “To date, we have printed 30 cradles, consisting of 60 halves, since January," said Wilson. "If we were to do that in a traditional way, we would have done about a quarter of that. So, you can see that 3D printing is far quicker, as we don’t have any adjustments to make, or if we do, they’re very minor and can be quickly overcome. And the material is just as strong.”
Advantages of Hi-Temp CF
Choosing the right material was crucial in SFM’s choice. As Wilson said, “We carried out many tests to establish which was the most suitable material within the budget given. Having looked at the data sheets, we felt that Hi Temp had a slight advantage over the other BigRep materials.”
Once they remove the support material, they use sandpaper and its equivalents to smooth the surface. Then bushes are inserted in the hinges, before using helicoil inserts when required.
Once the cradle is painted to the customer’s specification, the rest of the metal parts are added along with the foam on the inside of the cradle, protecting the main rotor blade when the restraint cradle is fitted.
3D printing in aerospace
With the main rotor blade restraint cradles already in use, Mr. Wilson attests that this experience shows what 3D printing can achieve in the aerospace industry and that it's only a matter of time before additive manufacturing becomes the norm.
"In the aerospace industry, there are many designers still slightly nervous about 3D printing. By using these cradles, we can demonstrate that 3D printing can be used in the aerospace industry quite comfortably from a strength, repeatability, and quality side. I know for a fact, that as the industry gets more technically forward on 3D printing, certainly there will be more and more paths because of the accessibility to them."
SFM Technology are now looking to use the BigRep PRO as a batch 3D printer, able to sequence production and create improved results across the board. More aerospace designers see the benefits of 3D printing and look to adopt it in due course.
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