Usage of ASA Extrafill and PLA Extrafill
in company Future Vehicles s.r.o.
Future Vehicles is a team of professionals working in aviation for more than 20years. „Mostly we develop airplanes in various categories such as ULL, CS-LSA, CS-VLA, CS-23, FAR 23, ASTM LSA and Experimental. Also, we take a part in the development of components, sports equipment, and special equipment made from composite materials. “says Jan Jílek, a design engineer in Future Vehicles s.r.o.
WHAT WAS THE MAIN REASON YOU HAVE STARTED WITH 3D PRINTING?
Simply 3D printing is a fast and cheaper way to produce prototypes. No matter whether you develop a simple cover or more complicated shape to test the functionality and compatibility with other parts, 3D printing is the easiest and the fastest way. In aviation there is lower production comparing to other industries, that is the reason why is more profitable to print plastic parts rather than produce them in a traditional way such as injection molding. When prototyping, it is necessary to test more components, choose the best variant and verify whether the printed design is right.
CAN YOU DEMONSTRATE ANY PARTICULAR 3D PRINTING PROJECT?
In the picture below there you can see a box reminding component printed in PLA Extrafill „Natural “. It is a „box “that solves our problem with placing electronics. It was easier and cheaper for us to print three single parts rather than make it for example of metal sheet. We can easily modify this box according to our needs.
In picture 2, there is a cover printed in “Traffic Black” ASA Extrafill which is used as a prototype for plastic cover to improve ergonomics of the aircraft interior. The third picture represents the engine cover of the airplane printed in “Traffic Black” PLA Extrafill. This option is used before CNC milling to reveal imperfections and check the design
HAVE ANY OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS BROUGHT TIME SAVINGS OR COST SAVINGS IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Everybody who has ever worked with 3D printer knows that some large parts can be printed even 20hours. But taking into consideration that we need something ad hoc being done next day we can find the advantageousness of 3D printing. Imagine a situation where you are under the pressure and need to test functionality of particular components. We start printing in the evening, and testing can start in the morning. This is the magic of additive manufacturing and amazing saving of time. When talking about cost savings we only pay for electricity and material. From the production point of view the difference between printed and real components can be counted in hundreds and even thousands of euros.
HOW WOULD YOU RATE PRINTING IN OUR PLA EXTRAFILL AND ASA EXTRAFILL?
Here I have to say that printing in PLA Extrafill is not difficult because it does not suffer from high shrinkage when the temperature changes. PLA Extrafill is used for printing components for which it is necessary to verify the shape and appearance. We are also happy with ASA Extrafill material, which we can apply on components placed in the aircraft permanently. Both of the above materials suit us for our work.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST IN OUR BRAND?
We love the reliability and quality we found in brand Fillamentum. The accuracy of the filament diameter is important for the print and we do not have to deal with it. We buy any material and know that we just insert it into a 3D printer and there is no need to set up and solve anything else. Last but not least, we like to cooperate with Czech manufacturers.
