So far, the majority of aviation companies are pursuing the first path, the less risky path. In the coming years, though, it’s likely that an increasing number of companies will pursue the third tactical path.

With advances in materials science and the technology itself, new opportunities will arise, which will allow companies to build increasingly complex end parts with improved functionality, likely paving the way for disruptive product innovations.

In the long term, it’s likely that companies will choose the fourth tactical path, leveraging AM for both product innovations and supply chain improvements, which could lead to significant changes in the companies’ business model.

According to Airbus, the widespread adoption of additive manufacturing is inevitable, as the next generation of designers will grow up in a new technological reality where AM will be a natural part of the design thought process.

»I see one major benefit of more widespread additive manufacturing adoption in the consumer market, on top of technology cost reduction: a democratization of the technology, a culture change,« says Jérôme Rascol, Head of Additive Manufacturing Platform, at Airbus. He adds:

»The next generation of designers will be raised in this environment, and will naturally be thinking and designing for this technology. This will have a tremendous effect in the expansion of the technology in the aeronautics, which should lead to earlier design maturity and ultimately better performance of our products.«

Additive manufacturing is just one of a series of emerging technologies set to make an impact on the industry. Here are five technologies that will change the MRO business.

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Additive manufacturing opportunities in the aviation industry