Boom Supersonic and Stratasys Extend Partnership to Accelerate Adoption of AM for 3D-Printed Flight Hardware

Stratasys, one of the largest 3D printing companies in the world announced in an official release that it is deepening its partnership by signing a seven-year extension agreement with Boom Supersonic – a Colorado-based company known to build history’s fastest supersonic airliner to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing for 3D-printed flight hardware.

Boom Supersonic is utilizing the Stratasys® F900® 3D Printer with the Aircraft Interiors Solution (AIS) package to create hundreds of 3D printed parts for XB-1, the company’s supersonic demonstrator aircraft. The AIS package is aimed at helping improve mechanical properties and enables repeatable development of aircraft production parts.

Speaking about how Stratasys’ AM solutions are helping the company, Mike Jagemann, Head of XB-1 Production at Boom said, “By being able to print critical parts and components on site rather than purchasing them from a supplier, we can create custom parts, increase our speed from engineering to manufacturing, and focus on building the aircraft and fulfilling our vision.”

Boom Supersonic is capitalizing on the power of Stratasys 3D Printing for more effective creation of composite part tooling on its XB-1/Image Credit: Stratasys

“During the first three years of our partnership, we 3D printed more than 200 parts for tooling, prototypes and test benches using Stratasys’ F370 and Fortus 450mc 3D printers, and have saved hundreds of hours of work time, enabling rapid iteration of design cycles. Stratasys’ standing as a global leader in 3D printed aerospace applications made them an ideal partner for Boom, and we’re excited to extend this partnership long-term,” added Mr Jagemann

The new agreement is designed to integrate FDM® 3D printing technology into flight part production for XB-1, and eventually for Overture – the revolutionary Mach-2.2 commercial airliner. Providing a faster, more streamlined approach to qualify additively manufactured parts for aircraft installation, Stratasys AIS package will be instrumental to the aircraft expected to fly more than two times the speed of sound, or in excess of 1,500 miles per hour (2,400 km/h).

Above: Boom Supersonic’s Overture/Image Credit: Boom Supersonic

“The team at Boom is doing something that’s never been achieved – successful mainstream supersonic airline travel. But development of aircraft that can safely and efficiently travel at Mach 2.2 requires a new approach to manufacturing processes,” said Rich Garrity, President Americas, Stratasys. “Working together, our teams have put the technology to work for efficient, reliable and repeatable prototypes, tooling and jigs and fixtures. Now, we’re ready to go further – for strong, durable, lightweight production-grade aircraft parts.”

Above: The Stratasys F900 AM system/Image Credit: Stratasys

The Stratasys F900 3D Printer has the highest repeatability and largest build size of any FDM system. The solution is ideally suited to handle complex production manufacturing needs, utilizing a wide range of thermoplastics with advanced mechanical properties for parts that can endure extreme heat, caustic chemicals, and high-impact applications.

The AIS package offers aerospace manufacturers the documentation and training necessary to guide the complex qualification process. The end result is flight-ready parts based on additive manufacturing. XB-1 is expected to be rolled out later this year and flown supersonically in 2020. Overture is in the development stage with consumer travel expected to commence in the mid-2020s.