# 3D-Printed Airplane Parts Norsk Titanium Has Developed a 3D Printing Process for Titanium Parts By Joey Haar | Published 2017-04-11 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/norsk-titanium References: [reuters](http://www.reuters.com/article/us-norsk-boeing-idUSKBN17C264) & [norsktitanium](http://www.norsktitanium.com/norsk-titanium-to-deliver-the-worlds-first-faa-approved-3d-printed-structural-titanium-components-to-boeing/) Should companies uncover methods of 3D printing with materials more durable than the soft plastics that get used in consumer printers, the technology could be a boon for industry as a whole, and Norsk Titanium has found just such a methodology. The company is able to 3D print titanium units, and it plans to use that system to generate airplane parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet airliner. Norsk Titanium's 3D-printed airplane parts were recently approved for use by the [Federal Aviation Authority](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twoseat-helicopter) after a rigorous testing phase. This approval is massive for Boeing, as the incredibly efficient manufacturing process has the potential to save the company between $2 million and $3 million per jet. Boeing and Norsk Titanium expect to start using the 3D-printed parts in jets in 2018. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **3d-printed Aerospace Components:** Advancements in 3D printing technology for producing airplane parts create opportunities for faster production, cost savings, and improved efficiency - **Titanium Additive Manufacturing:** Innovative 3D printing processes for materials like titanium offer a major breakthrough in aerospace manufacturing and engineers should consider adopting additive manufacturing technology - **3D Printing in Aviation Industry:** The increased use of 3D-printed parts in the aviation industry is a sign of the growing trend of 3D printing and additive manufacturing across industries ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Aerospace and Defense:** 3D-printed aerospace components offer an opportunity to reduce costs and lead time for aerospace and defense manufacturers - **Manufacturing:** Innovative 3D printing processes could change the way the manufacturing industry operates, particularly in terms of how parts are produced and how the supply chain operates - **Engineering Services:** The development of 3D printing technology for industrial use is driving the need for specialized engineering services to support and integrate additive manufacturing into various industries ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Metal-Capable 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nxg-xii-600.md) - [3D-Printed Hypercar Components](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinteros.md) - [3D-Printed Space-Exploration Rockets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/x-bow-launch-systems.md) - [Liquid Metal 3D-Printing Techniques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquid-metal-printing.md) - [High-Stability 3D Metal Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/az600.md) - [3D-Printed Motorsports Components](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mclaren-racing-x-stratasys.md) - [3D-BioPrinted Space Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/redwire-1.md) - [Advanced 3D Printing Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hp-multijet.md) - [High-Speed 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blade-1.md)