The project aims to bring together various partners — manufacturers, suppliers, universities, certification authorities, and others — to collaborate on a common project to accelerate the development of capacity to design, produce, inspect and certify parts using additive-process manufacturing.

Additive-process manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a technology that makes it possible to manufacture a solid part by depositing successive layers of material in the form of powder or liquid. This is nothing short of a revolution in the aeronautics manufacturing industry. In short, these new manufacturing methods will make it possible to produce parts with more complex geometries, to reduce the quantity of material used for that manufacturing, and to use materials that make it possible to reduce the mass of the manufactured parts.

The three prime contractors involved in the project, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Bombardier Aerospace and Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, want to create a local supply chain of parts manufactured using 3D printing processes and develop a world-calibre supplier base in Québec.

The expected results for this project constitute a turning point in the possibilities for improving aircraft and engine parts and structures. Such a breakthrough would make it possible to reduce the greenhouse gases associated with aircraft lifecycles and the aeronautics industry in Québec, particularly with regard to reducing the weight of parts, the quantity of material used, and the waste generated during parts manufacturing.