PPG 3D prints ramp seals for Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules using its patented PPG Ambient Reactive Extrusion Technology.

Pittsburgh said today that it recently supplied Lockheed Martin with six sets of custom-designed

ramp seals for the C-130J Super Hercules military tactical airlifter’s aft loading ramp. This is the first time PPG has sold 3D printed components in a commercial setting.

Subtractive manufacturing is used in

traditional manufacturing methods,

which involves removing superfluous materials to create the desired part.

With additive manufacturing,

the exact amount of material

is deposited

in the exact pattern and design of the item

, decreasing waste, conserving energy,

eliminating rework of a manually manufactured product, and accelerating the time to market.

“We’ve automated a manual process for making these ramp seals with additive manufacturing,”

said Cindy Kutchko, PPG senior group leader, additive manufacturing, aerospace.
“By designing shelf-stable, quick-to-install parts,

we can save our customers substantial production time and more than 30% on costs when compared to traditional manufacturing procedures.”

PPG ARE’s large-scale 3D printing capabilities are

being expanded in

collaboration with Cosine Additive.

PPG’s Application Support Center (ASC) in Los Angeles has installed the first 3D printer

that uses PPG ARE technology for commercial applications.

PPG’s position as a global paint, coatings, and speciality materials company,

as well as its scale, make it a compelling investment.

An example of the relationship between innovation and evolution

The PPG ARE thermoset technology in these 3D printers

allows for the manufacture of durable and useful parts that were previously difficult to produce due to the speed and accuracy of the technology.

“For the C-130J Super Hercules,

these 3D printed components are a game-changer,”

said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business.
“PPG’s Are technology is an excellent illustration of how manufacturing innovation and evolution work together to provide our operators with cost-effective, tailored, and long-lasting components.”

Coatings, sealants, adhesives, transparencies, packaging and application methods, as well as transparent armour, are all available through PPG’s global aerospace division.

Source: Businesswire