Story ID: 
Lufthansa Technik Adds 3D Printing Center
By: Alexa Rexroth
Caption: The company has established an AM center for further development of the manufacturing technology.
Word Count: 172
Lufthansa Technik has created an additive manufacturing (AM) center in line with advancing technology in part design. Also known as 3D printing, additive manufacturing provides the capability to manufacture individual parts at a faster rate. The ability to increase production rates is complemented by the associated freedom allowed in the design process.

“The new AM Center will serve as a collaborative hub where the experience and skills that Lufthansa Technik has gained in additive manufacturing can be bundled and further expanded,” said Dr. Aenne Koester, head of the new center. “The aim is to increase the degree of maturity of the technologies and to develop products that are suitable for production.”

Lufthansa Technik is partnering with other additive manufacturing specialists and research institutions to support the center’s initiatives. A partnership with Oerlikon additive manufacturing is helping Lufthansa Technik to better understand process repeatability. The German-based company will also share results of the partners' efforts to help define standards for approval and qualification of aircraft components.