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 The tools necessary for aircraft manufacture have changed rapidly over
the past decade. Who could have predicted that the most critical pieces
of equipment in the factory - enormous autoclaves
for curing very large components - would evolve from their smaller
counterparts in medicine and other applications. But, as this article
points out, autoclave size, high cost, and power consumption has
encouraged the search for alternatives. Microwave curing, for example,
can reduce energy consumption 90% and accommodate curing in sections,
impossible with an autoclave. The next step? Additive manufacturing (aka
3D printing), at least for small, intricate parts.
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Re: The Aircraft Manufacturing Revolution Continues
