Sciaky, a manufacturer of 3D printers, announced that TUSAŞ has ordered the world's largest electron beam (EBF) 3D printer.
Having started producing parts for the National Combat Aircraft (MMU) in 2021, TUSAŞ continues to make significant investments in the production of high-technology parts, primarily for the MMU project.
The production of parts used in aviation projects requiring high precision, such as the MMU project, demands advanced technology. While it is possible to produce these parts abroad, potential future crises and embargoes could lead to problems in their supply. In this context, TUSAŞ continues to invest in high-tech machinery necessary for the production of critical parts. The acquisition of the world's largest electron beam (EBL) 3D printer, as part of these investments, has also made headlines in the world press.
According to a report in Tctmagazine, the ordered machine is 6m long, 2m wide and 1.8m high, and has a metal deposition rate exceeding 20kg per hour for metal alloys.
The agreement between the two companies also includes collaboration on a number of projects aimed at optimizing TUSAŞ's use of the EBAM machine and technology located at its Ankara, Turkey factory, where it will 3D print some of the largest titanium air-structures in the industry.
In addition to its technical specifications, the unique 3D printer can also transition to an Electron Beam Welding (EBW) machine for large-scale welding applications, giving TUSAŞ the advantage of combining EBW welding and 3D printing for applications requiring both technologies.
National Combat Aircraft (MMU)
In the National Combat Aircraft (MMU) Development Project, which was initiated with the aim of producing a domestically designed and developed fighter aircraft that can replace the F-16 aircraft that are planned to be gradually phased out from the inventory of the Turkish Air Force Command starting from the 2030s, and to create the human resources and infrastructure to design and develop this aircraft, TUSAŞ is the main contractor.
