Additive Manufacturing of Threaded Parts for Aerospace Applications

Additive manufacturing is a suitable process to produce complex net shape parts, and prototypes. Additive Manufacturing bringing in both design and industrial revolution, in various industrial sectors. In aerospace industry today, Additive Manufacturing is bringing lots of advantages and applications and even though threaded parts which are additively manufactured are being researched, study on the torque requirements for these parts have not been explored in detail. In this study we are exploring this and trying to establish a methodology for torque calculation of AM threaded parts. This is going to give many benefits like reduced part cost, manufacturing and installation time and increased safety. The key features of such parts which makes AM as a best manufacturing method are - angled internal grove, provision for sealant for complete sealing, customized tread geometry, multiple threaded regions within the part etc. These types of parts have potential applications in different sections of Aircraft, flight testing, ground testing, spacecraft etc. Study of design parameters of threaded parts and manufacture for Additive Manufacturing, Materials and Processes, calculated values of torque and future scope are presented in this paper.