Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace & Defense Market: The Patent Landscape

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Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace Defense
Market The Patent Landscape The world is
standing on the precipice of a revolution in
manufacturing technology. In accordance, additive
manufacturing (AM), or industrial 3D printing,
has emerged as a game-changing technology with
transformative implications for the aerospace and
defense industries. By leveraging advanced AM
patents, companies in these sectors are
pioneering new frontiers in efficiency, cost
reduction, and design possibilities. Inkwood
Research predicts the global additive
manufacturing in aerospace defense market
to surge with a 20.48 CAGR by 2032,
generating a revenue of 17.88 billion during
the forecast period, 2023-2032.
The shift toward additive manufacturing
allows for better traceability throughout the
production stages, promoting a more
streamlined manufacturing process. As the
costs of 3D printing technology continue to
decrease, the industry sees the potential for
shorter production times, further enhancing
the attractiveness of this emerging
manufacturing method. Aerospace and Defense
Industries A Fertile Ground for Additive
Manufacturing Additive manufacturings disruptive
potential is particularly apparent in the
aerospace and defense industries. Lockheed
Martin, for example, has utilized the
technology to produce intricate satellite parts.
With additive, you can go through five
iterations of a design before youd even get the
first ones through a traditional method, and all
five of
those
together
will probably cost
less than
one traditional
iteration, explains Scott Killian, Aerospace B
usiness
Development Manager
at EOS North America. Source engineering.com
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• Similarly, General Electric has made
  significant strides in harnessing AM for
  jet engine production, resulting in lighter,
  more fuel-efficient engines. The companys
  patents, particularly within the B29C 64 CPC (AM
  using plastics), showcase a strong commitment to
  leveraging AM for aerospace advancements.
  Source GE Aviation
• A Patent Overview
• Patents serve as crucial innovation indicators,
  providing insights into companies and
  institutions technological focus and research
  directions. A report by 1790 Analytics LLC,
  commissioned by the Advanced Manufacturing
  Office (AMO), analyzed the influence of
  AMO-funded AM patents. The study revealed a rich
  tapestry of additive manufacturing patents
  distributed across various Cooperative Patent
  Classifications (CPCs), each representing differen
  t aspects of AM technology. Source Energy.gov
• Key patent assignees include
  Savannah River Nuclear Solutions
  (SRS), Lockheed Martin at Oak Ridge
  National Lab (ORNL), University of
  California (LANL LBNL), General
  Electric, Lawrence Livermore National
  Security (LLNL), and Sandia Corporation/NTESS
  (SNL). These players, amongst others, are set
  to shape the future of additive
  manufacturing in the aerospace and defense
  sectors.
• Beyond Borders Additive Manufacturing Patents in
  Aerospace Defense from Around the World
• As we delve deeper into the world of
  additive manufacturing in the aerospace and
  defense industries, it is crucial to
  acknowledge that innovation knows no
  borders. Numerous remarkable inventions have
  emerged from corners around the world,
  contributing to the global knowledge pool
  in this transformative technology. These
  patents, granted in various countries, symbolize
  the international reach and universal potential
  of additive manufacturing.
• Heres a glimpse of some major patents
• Patent Number IAC-18C29 NASAs Marshall
  Space Flight Center (MSFC) is leading the
  way in the incorporation of Additive
  Manufacturing (AM) into aerospace industries,
  revolutionizing the sector with its In-Space
  Manufacturing (ISM) initiative. The adoption of
  AM has been expedited by its capability to
  drive innovation, facilitate rapid
  development, and provide affordability. MSFCs
  commitment to AM is also demonstrated by creating
  a standard and a specification for AM space
  flight hardware, released in 2017. Source
  NASA
• Patent Number US10486330B2 Chinese
  researchers are considering using 3D printing
  for lunar construction, potentially employing a
  laser-based method to create
  building blocks from lunar
  soil or adapting WinSuns technology,
  which already has 3D-printed buildings on Earth
  from recycled waste. This technique could reduce
  construction costs and allow for design
  flexibility, using lunar regolith as raw
  material. The success of this method could
  herald a significant step in space exploration

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and potentially enable long-term human presence on the
moon. Source Google Patent, 3Dnatives

• The Road Ahead Opportunities and Challenges
• In a world where innovation is key to staying
  competitive, the aerospace and defense industries
  are leveraging the power of additive
  manufacturing to break new ground. As AM
  technology evolves, the patent landscape will
  remain a crucial barometer of progress, pointing
  toward new advancements and applications
  that will shape the industrys future. As
  exciting as the opportunities are, adopting
  AM also presents challenges. Intellectual
  property protection is a significant concern in
  the fast-paced AM landscape, as it is
  critical to safeguard the investment in
  research and development that these patents
  represent.
• Dr. Thomas Kurfess, Chief
  Manufacturing Officer at Oak Ridge
  National Laboratory, emphasizes the importance
  of a robust patent strategy Technology is
  moving right along, and there is a lot of
  opportunity for innovationand I see us as the
  enablers for innovation. What were
  about is innovating faster than the
  competition can copy. Source- Armed Forces
  Communications Electronics Association
  International (AFCEA)
• As the AM patent landscape continues to
  evolve, we can expect to see further
  technological breakthroughs and innovative
  applications that are expected to shape the
  future of the global additive manufacturing in
  aerospace and defense market.
• FAQs
• What are the key growth drivers of the global
  additive manufacturing in aerospace and defense
  market?
• A Fastened production timelines, supply chain
  disruptions, increased efficiency requirements,
  minimal processing and manufacturing costs, and
  reduced raw material usage are the key growth
  drivers of the global additive manufacturing in
  aerospace and defense market.
• What is the leading material in the global
  additive manufacturing in aerospace and defense
  market?
• A Special metals (titanium, gold, silver,
  platinum, palladium, etc.) are
• expected to be the leading material in the global
  additive manufacturing in aerospace and defense
  market.