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在线翻译:
szdaily -> Tech and Science -> 
World’s first 3-D printed plane unveiled
    2016-06-08  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

    3-D printing technology is fast evolving, with companies now producing objects ranging from castles to lawn mowers.

    But until now, no one has been able to print a 3-D airplane that flies.

    Now, European aerospace company, Airbus, has created a mini-plane, named Thor, which is the world’s first 3-D printed aircraft.

    The mini plane was presented at the Berlin air show this week.

    Airbus has named the aircraft Thor — which stands for “Test of High-tech Objectives in Reality.”

    Thor is a windowless drone that weighs in at 21 kilograms and is less than four meters in length.

    Despite its model-like appearance, the small pilotless propeller aircraft* is a first in aviation* technology, and could give a glimpse into a future where 3-D printing technology could save time, fuel and money.

    The aircraft is completely 3-D printed, except the electrical elements, which are built from a substance called polyamide*.

    According to the plane’s chief engineer, Gunnar Haase, the plane “flies beautifully, and is very stable.”

    Both Airbus, and their rival, Boeing, are using 3-D printing to make parts for some of their planes, such as the A350 and B787 Dreamliner.

    Jens Henzler, managing director of Hofmann Innovation Group, said: “The printed pieces have the advantage of requiring no tools and that they can be made very quickly. The metal parts produced can also be 30-50 percent lighter than in the past, and there is almost zero manufacturing waste.”

    A survey by Bitkom of 102 people working in the aviation sector showed that many of them believe 3-D printing is the future of the aircraft industry.

    In fact, 70 percent of respondents believed that by 2030 aircraft spare parts will be printed directly at airports, and 51 percent expect that entire planes will by then be manufactured by 3-D printing.

    (SD-Agencies)

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