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The fact is that the Boeing B-52 was manufactured in 1952-1962. Although these strategic bombers have been updated several times, they still have the original Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 engines. Only for a short time.
The B-52 will soon have new engines to help these strategic bombers turn the centuries in the air. Those old engines are neither very efficient nor very reliable. The B-52 even has 8 engines, so you can imagine how much maintenance they require. Especially since it’s getting harder and harder to get help from Pratt & Whitney, it’s a relic of the past.
The manufacturer can still offer some details. Many of them are also taken from obsolete aircraft. However, all of this can take time and bomber repairs become longer than acceptable. Therefore, the US Air Force is taking on a new activity: producing spare parts with 3D printers. The Air Force has just printed the first metal part of its aircraft engine.
That detail is just a simple and relatively small item that helps direct the hot air to melt the ice. First of all, the production of such simple parts is discontinued as they are often unique to each aircraft. The B-52 is waiting for new engines, making it increasingly difficult to obtain spare parts.
The Air Force already has good 3D printing capabilities, but plans to expand it. And not just because of the older planes. 3D printing allows you to produce spare parts anywhere in the world cheaply and quickly. This means that on bases near access points, a fairly simple shop could print various details rather than wait for them to be delivered.
The US Air Force only started printing parts in 2019. Then the toilet seat is printed. The engine parts are being printed now and are expected to not only facilitate, but also reduce the cost of maintenance and repair of the aircraft.
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