Boeing has been on the course to innovate their line of airplanes for a while. Now, in partnership with the AMRC, they have released details on a patent-pending new method currently in development.
What is THREAD?
THREAD is a hybrid printing technology that allows for structures with elaborate levels of complexity. It allows manufacturers to build seamless multi-material prints with continuous, seamless integration of layers. AMRC Development Engineer and AM specialist Mark Cocking said: “THREAD has scope to simultaneously add multiple industry-recognised threads of differing materials into one component, giving the component additional functions. This will open AM up to a greater variety of uses.”
One of the interesting things about THREAD is that its developers claim that it can plausibly be an add-on component for other Additive Manufacturing platforms. “THREAD has potential to be developed as an add-on technology for existing AM platforms and also incorporated into next generation AM technologies,” added Mark Cocking.
Applications of THREAD
One of the main draws of THREAD is that it can create structures friendlier to the purposes of companies like Boeing. This is because the technology can, in theory, lay down electrical connections into the structure of the print. This is done by incorporating various materials simultaneously. This can potentially allow manufacturers to build tracks into the print.
For this reason, THREAD is a godsend to any company looking to 3D print encapsulated electronics. It will also be an asset to any company that produces goods that need to be compact and light-weight. The complex structures and in-built features the new method allows can be a boon to any industry where electrical connections would traditionally need to be built separately.
While the patent for this technology is still pending, the method has been successfully tested. It was tested on machines used for printing polymer components. Researchers at the AMRC are looking at the potential uses of the technology in areas like aerospace or medical tech.