Boom Supersonic Stratasys
Additive manufacturing enables unmatched design freedom and production speed of Boom’s XB-1 supersonic demonstrator
Stratasys has announced what it is describing as a ‘significant’ technical partnership with Boom Supersonic, an aerospace start-up which has received venture capital backing from a host of companies and angel investors.
Together, the two companies are looking to make supersonic travel routine by accelerating the production of advanced tooling and production-grade aircraft parts with Stratasys’ FDM 3D printing technology.
In a Boom Supersonic promo video, the company talks of making New York to London, a three-hour journey, rather than a seven-hour one, and reducing the San Francisco to Tokyo commute a five-hour haul instead of eleven. To make this reality, and ‘gain life’ as well as save time, Boom is calling on the assistance of one of the leading additive manufacturing companies.
By harnessing Stratasys’ additive manufacturing proficiencies, and the design freedom, production speed, and cost-saving benefits it includes, Boom is planning the first flight of its XB-1 supersonic demonstrator next year. Specifically, the company will be using FDM Fortus 450mc and F370 3D printing platforms. Both of which are designed to produce parts in production-grade thermoplastics, and manufacturing tools capable of surviving the most challenging conditions.
Boom says its supersonic airliner, able to accelerate to 1,451 miles per hour, will fly up to 2.6 times faster than any other aircraft currently on the market.
Boom Supersonic Stratasys
Stratasys empowers Boom to improve speed of development of XB-1, their supersonic demonstrator, taking flight next year.
“Supersonic flight has existed for over 50 years, but the technology hasn’t existed to make it affordable for routine commercial travel,” said Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom. “Today’s significant advances in aerodynamics, engine design, additive manufacturing, and carbon fiber composite materials are transforming the industry at all levels.
“Additive manufacturing helps accelerate development of a new generation of aircraft. With a proven track-record of success across aviation and aerospace, Stratasys now becomes a key catalyst in our design and production processes – helping to transform the future of aviation through the power of 3D printing.”
Rich Garrity, President of Americas for Stratasys, says the company is looking forward to assisting Boom Supersonic in its attempts to transform the way we fly. Furthermore, he is confident Stratasys’ 3D printing platforms are exactly the right technology for the aerospace company to leverage.
“Boom is working towards a major breakthrough in supersonic, commercial airline travel - and we’re excited Stratasys is now playing a strategic role in helping them achieve their goals. We are proud to add Boom Supersonic to a roster of leading aerospace companies successfully implementing our additive manufacturing solutions to deliver new innovations in aviation,” said Garrity. “Stratasys’ engineering-grade, high-efficiency 3D printing solutions are perfectly suited for producing the complex part designs and custom manufacturing tools this industry demands.”
The two companies will be present at next week’s Paris Air Show, exploring ways additive manufacturing can impact the aerospace sector, in Hall 4, Stand C208 from June 19th – June 25th.
