Lockheed Martin Thinking of 3D Printing Titanium Fuel Tanks In-House

Source: http://inside3dprinting.com/

(International Business Times) — Lockheed Martin bought a $4 million 3D-printing machine from Sciaky in 2014. The machine is capable of creating titanium fuel tanks that are 150 centimeters in diameter with half the manufacturing cost of propellent tanks. The additive process is also faster than casting the tanks in molds, which takes about 20 months.

Lockheed Martin Space System is one of the world’s largest defense, aerospace, and advanced technology contractors. The hemispherical halves of its titanium fuel tanks are built layer by layer, with spools of titanium wire being spun for ultimate strength. Now that researchers from Lockheed Martin have studied the process, it has been reported that the company is thinking of moving the construction of these tanks in-house to save money. It is planning to hold the titanium 3D printing of aerospace fuel tanks within their facilities.