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 manufacturing’s 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 you’d 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 Business Development Manager at EOS North America. [Source: engineering.com] Similarly, General Electric has made significant strides in harnessing AM for jet engine production, resulting in lighter, more fuel-efficient engines. The company’s 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 different 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.