A range of companies have come together to aid in the development of materials
Stratasys has launched AIS Antero 800NA and AIS Antero 840CN03, being new validated materials for the Stratasys F900. This is the latest milestone in qualified additive manufacturing for aerospace, defence, and other regulated industries.
Organisations such as Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Blue Origin, Raytheon, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), United States Air Force, BAE, and Stratasys Direct Manufacturing were involved in the qualification process.
Stringent requirements are required by Stratasys for a new material to be considered useable in mission-critical applications, ensuring manufacturers can trust the solution for high-temperature, chemical-resistant parts. The company leverages NCAMP equivalence to provide scalable solutions with a clear pathway to process and achieve material qualification. This reduces both the time cost required for adaptation in highly regulated markets.
Ryan Martin, senior research director of ABI Research, said: "The ongoing development and qualification of these Stratasys advanced additive manufacturing materials are pivotal for manufacturers in aerospace and defense, enabling them to confidently adopt 3D printing for mission-critical applications. With validated materials that meet rigorous industry standards, manufacturers can now accelerate production, reduce costs, and streamline qualification processes. This evolution in material capabilities provides the reliability, precision, and regulatory compliance required for producing high-performance parts that meet the demanding needs of these highly regulated industries."
AIS Antero materials have proven reliability having been validated with NCAMP-backed data for consistent performance on production sites as well as bringing costs down, with no need for internal testing and qualifications. Documentation, training, and tools to implement best practice in process control are supplied to streamline qualification.
Foster Ferguson, vice president of industrial business unit at Stratasys, said: “These new AIS Antero materials represent a major step forward for additive manufacturing integration in the production of aerospace and defence platforms. By combining best-in-class performance with an established qualification framework, we’re empowering manufacturers to innovate faster and confidently deploy 3D printing for qualified end-use applications at multiple locations across an enterprise.”
Designed to meet the requirements of high-performance polymer applications, the AIS Antero 800NA and AIS Antero 840CN03 provide design flexibility and resistance to extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals. This makes them ideal for creating lightweight, durable parts in mission-critical systems.
The new material will be showcased at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs between April 7th to 10th 2025, to showcase its usefulness in aerospace, defence, and beyond.
