3D printing technology has made huge advancements over the last decade and many aerospace companies are now beginning to utilise the technique to make parts for aircraft and spacecraft

The manufacturing technique is more efficient than traditional methods and creates intricately designed components. Aircraft using parts that have been made with the technique are lighter, use less fuel and are therefore cheaper to run and better for the environment.

3D printing, which is sometimes referred to as Additive Manufacturing, uses computer technology to give instructions to a laser printing machine which then creates objects by layering materials until an object is formed.

Many different materials such as polymers and metals can be used in 3D printing and it is a far cheaper and more efficient way of making objects than other manufacturing methods. This is mostly because when objects re created this way there are no waste materials left over. In addition there is no need to design an object, then make a mould, then inject the mould to make an object.

All a designer needs to do is to design an object in a computer program and press print – the machine does the rest.

In terms of aerospace and the space race 3D printing could be very useful. The main advantage is that more efficient and lighter parts, such as springs, hinges and other parts can be manufactured. The lighter an aircraft is, the less fuel it uses, meaning that aircraft that utilise the technology will be cheaper to make and cheaper to run.

In addition the technology could help make commercial space flight accessible to more people as space vessels that use 3D printing will also be cheaper to make and to run, which will help bring down the cost of buying a ticket for space travel.

Many scientists believe that most households will have their own 3D printer within the next few years. In fact one New York company is already selling domestic 3D printers. Makerbot’s Cupcake Model printer is retailing for just under $650 dollars and it is believed that as the technology advances prices will get even lower.

Currently the aerospace industry is working on making 3D print versions of exisiting parts but it is thought that they will begin to use biomimicry in the near future – a process that apes structures in nature to help make manufactured parts more efficient.