Mark 3D to launch new division to support 3D printing adoption in Aerospace.
February 08, 2023
A Birmingham-based 3D printing solutions provider, Mark3D UK, which has a speciality in Markforged technology, has announced the launch of a new Aerospace and Defence Division out of the UK’s iAero Centre in an attempt to support the adoption of additive manufacturing in the sector.
The team at the Yeovil-based iAero Centre has access to a suite of Markforged metal and composite 3D printing equipment and has access to its Eiger software.
The Managing Director at Mark3D UK, Ian Weston, commented: "We believe there are still many challenges facing the Aerospace and Defence industry in relation to adopting additive manufacturing and we’d like to help solve them. This division is a continuation of our strategic investment in serving our current and future customers in these industries."
A 5-year joint funded agreement has been announced by the centre back in November. The agreement sees the team behind the 10 million GBP iAero project, led by Somerset County Council. It brings together Leonardo UK, Markforged, Yeovil College and Mark3D to open and fully support a state-of-the-art additive manufacturing centre.
Austin Chick, head of iAero, commenting at the time of the announcement, said the aim of the centre is to "provide an environment where new products and high-value design and engineering solutions can be developed in collaboration with key industrial partners" and "further develop ground-breaking ideas and turn them into reality.”
In addition to technical support over the agreement period, Mark3D will also be providing support through training and optimisation of equipment.
Weston said at the launch, "Our role is to facilitate a smooth-running environment, provide advice with manufacturing decisions during the design process and help people in their learning phase.”
"Additive is a really exciting place to be at the moment. This system offers the ability to design and manufacture in ways not possible a few years ago. This will enable companies in the region to upskill and become more competitive in their respective specialisms.”
According to a report by Stratview Research, the aerospace industry accounted for a share of 16.8% of the 3D-printing market in 2019 and is likely to grow at a fast rate in years to come.
Aerospace 3D printing Market Highlights
The global aerospace 3D printing market grew continuously in the trend period and was estimated to maintain its upward growth trajectory in 2020 as well. However, the rapid spread of COVID-19 ruined market expectations. The pandemic exacerbated the existing challenges of the aerospace industry and weakened the industry sales to their lowest figure of the decade.
Based on industry estimates by IATA and ICAO, the study of market recoveries in previous downturns (The Great Recession, SARS, etc.), and primary interviews with the key market stakeholders, Stratview estimates suggest that the market for aerospace 3D printing is likely to commence recovery from 2021 onwards, followed by maintaining sequential growth till 2027, ultimately taking the global aerospace 3D printing market to reach US$ 4.6 billion by 2027