An engine from AECC.
According to Xinhua, China has completed the maiden flight of a 3D printed ultra-lightweight miniature jet engine, developed by Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC). This achievement marks a breakthrough in advanced propulsion design and manufacturing, according to the engine’s developer.
The flight test took place in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,000 meters. It comprehensively demonstrated the operational reliability and stability of the engine under authentic flight conditions.
The engine represents China’s first-ever flight-validated turbojet engine in the 160-kilogram thrust class to be manufactured using only 3D printing.
“This successful inaugural flight lays a more solid technical foundation for the research and development of future advanced aviation engines in China,” said the press release from AECC.
The research team pioneered the application of multi-disciplinary topology optimization specifically tailored for 3D printing. This approach, coupled with integrated component design, allowed for a dramatic reduction in overall engine weight and a significant enhancement in critical performance metrics.
Prior to the flight, the engine had already undergone and passed rigorous ground-based verification testing to ensure that performance meets all targets and the validated service life is sufficient.
