I think China is actually working on the same thing. Can anybody fluent in reading Chinese translate this?
Didn't see this until now. So here is the translation:
中国成功应用3D打印技术试制航天发动机关键部件
(China has successfully utilized 3D printing technology to test manufacturing feasibility of critical engine components)
北京动力机械研究所2日宣布,已成功应用金属材料的3D打印技术(又称“增材制造技术”)试制部分航天发动机的关键零部件。该所负责人对
记者表示,“虽然距离真正打印整台发动机还有很长的路要走,但中国航天发动机制造由此驶入3D打印的‘快车道’”。
(Beijing power machinery research institute announced they have successfully used metal additive 3D printing technology to print critical engine components. The person responsible for the lab has said "even though printing the whole jet engine is still far away, but this 3D technology has allowed China to go into the 3D printing fast lane".
Translating it line by line for accuracy is kind of tiring so I will just translate the gist of it.
The following paragraph is just the person explaining the advantages of using 3D printing - lower cost for manufacturing, and high efficiency and accuracy, turn around time and ROI.
And as engine technology becomes more and more advanced, it becomes more and more complex, adding to the cost and difficulties of manufacturing in traditional way. This is why it becomes critical to utilized 3D printing technology for manufacturing. It gave examples of American company Pratt & Whitney printed an engine, and Australian researcher who printed a jet engine.
In the next paragraph - it seems Chinese government is pushing for the tech, there seems to be a policy in place - "the national manufacturing sector development plan 2015-2016" that they want to have policy and support system in place (especially for the aeronautical industry) before 2016 so China can reach advanced/leading edge standard in the world stage.