- SS 708 sets clear guidelines for safe, high-quality 3D-printed aerospace parts.
- It boosts Singapore’s role as a leading Asia-Pacific aerospace MRO hub.
- SS 708 lays the groundwork for future advanced additive manufacturing standards.
Singapore has launched a national standard aimed at integrating additive manufacturing more effectively into the nation's aerospace industry. Titled “Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace – Filament Layer Manufacturing Process Specifications,” SS 708 outlines process specifications for filament layer manufacturing (FLM), a form of 3D printing that constructs components by layering melted thermoplastic materials.
Introduced at the Inter Airport Southeast Asia trade fair earlier this year, the standard was created by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation’s Standards Development Organisation (SMF-SDO) in collaboration with Enterprise Singapore, under the guidance of the Singapore Standards Council. It likewise leverages the knowledge of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), the Association of Aerospace Industries Singapore (AAIS), and ST Engineering.
Designed to assist local producers in complying with global standards, this initiative also bolsters Singapore's overarching objectives to enhance its role as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center in the Asia Pacific.
Ms. Choy Sauw Kook, Director-General (Quality & Excellence), Enterprise Singapore, said, “Trust and safety are of utmost importance in the aerospace sector, and local manufacturers must demonstrate their ability to reliably and efficiently produce aerospace-grade components.”
Through SS 708, Singapore offers a cohesive framework to direct the domestic manufacturing of comparable components. The standard outlines requirements for choosing materials, validating hardware, implementing quality controls, and managing workflows.
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Collectively, these components aim to assist manufacturers in attaining uniformity in printing, minimizing post-processing duration, and guaranteeing that parts are fit for application in commercial aerospace settings.
The updated guidelines are also in accordance with global standards set by organizations like ASTM International and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This compatibility is anticipated to facilitate Singapore-based companies in catering to worldwide clients while adapting to changing certification standards.
SS 708 marks the beginning of a series of anticipated initiatives aimed at establishing standards for additive manufacturing within the aerospace sector. Upcoming updates are anticipated to include more technologies like vat photo polymerization, powder bed fusion (PBF), and material jetting.
“At SMF, we are proud to support this milestone initiative, which not only strengthens industry capabilities but also paves the way for greater collaboration and growth within the aerospace ecosystem,” added Mr. Dennis Mark, CEO at SMF.
In the UK, Airframe Designs utilized Stratasys Fortus 450mc FDM 3D printers to produce end-use parts as part of the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP). The business has utilized the technology for client projects needing high consistency, quick turnaround, and materials approved for aerospace applications.
At the same time, aviation supplier AM Craft manufactured hundreds of 3D-printed blanking panels for Finnair’s Airbus A320 aircraft. These components, made from flame-retardant ULTEM 9085 material, are installed directly into passenger service units and provided on a just-in-time basis to prevent surplus inventory.