Safran installs 3 CeraFab S65 ceramic printers from Lithoz to produce cores
To build up serial production of casting parts for future generation aircraft engines
Safran has acquired and installed three Lithoz’s CeraFab System S65 printers at Safran Aircraft Engines Gennevilliers, near Paris. This investment will enable the French engine manufacturer to build up the serial production of complex casting cores at an industrial scale, meeting the high cooling demands of next-generation aircraft engine turbine blades.
Lithoz’s ultra-precise Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM) technology in combination with the ceramic formulations, which were co-developed between Lithoz and Safran in the last couple of years, led to a reliably repeatable and scalable solution which showcases a groundbreaking adaptation of Lithoz LCM ceramic 3D printing in the aerospace industry.
Increasing the high-pressure turbine inlet temperatures is key for future engine generations, meaning that the components must withstand those increased temperatures. This can be achieved by implementing more complex cooling channels during the casting process used to manufacture the turbine blades. With its operational and resource-based efficiency, Lithoz’s ultra-precise LCM technology has reached a level of complexity for casting cores previously unattainable with traditional ceramic manufacturing processes.
Safran Aircraft Engines chose this equipment in particular for its performance and short production time. The ergonomics and software functions are adapted to production and meet aeronautical traceability requirements. Finally, the high level technical skills and quick response capabilities of Lithoz teams have been major assets in respecting the initial target planning and reach the success of this project.
Johannes Homa, Lithoz CEO: “The installation of these three CeraFab S65 printers is a true milestone for both Lithoz and the aerospace industry”, said Johannes Homa, Lithoz CEO. “As Safran Aircraft Engines moves forward to further develop their serial additive manufacturing process for ceramic casting cores, Lithoz remains strongly committed to providing our constant support in this important project.”
