Renishaw, a UK-based leader in engineering and advanced manufacturing technology, has played a pivotal role in helping Tronosjet Manufacturing, a Canadian aerospace company, achieve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its additively manufactured metallic parts. This milestone, achieved under the FAA’s Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) scheme, marks one of the first certifications for additively produced metallic components in the aerospace sector, demonstrating the strength and reliability of 3D-printed parts in critical applications.
Renishaw’s contributions include the supply of laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (AM) systems to Tronosjet for producing high-quality titanium aerospace components, such as the engine thrust control pulley bracket. This component, printed with Renishaw’s AM250 system using Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy, underwent extensive non-destructive and mechanical testing to meet FAA standards, surpassing the strength of traditionally cast magnesium brackets by withstanding loads over 22,000 lb—five times the load limit of its predecessor.
Tronosjet’s team collaborated closely with the FAA’s regulatory body, including material scientists and aerospace engineers, to prove the bracket’s compliance with stringent safety standards. Demonstrating both the material’s tensile strength and process repeatability was crucial to the approval, with Renishaw’s AM systems providing the stability and precision necessary for FAA regulatory assurance.
“Our long-standing relationship with Renishaw has been essential to this success,” shared a Tronosjet representative. “Renishaw’s engineering expertise and world-class AM machines enabled us to achieve this certification, and their local support across North America was invaluable as we transitioned to new technology.”
Since starting with Renishaw’s AM systems in 2018, Tronosjet has invested in three RenAM series machines, including the AM250, RenAM 500S Flex, and RenAM 500Q. These systems, using LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) technology, are suited for complex metal component production and have proven instrumental in Tronosjet’s pursuit of regulatory compliance and quality assurance for 3D-printed parts.
With FAA certification in place, Tronosjet is now equipped to supply certified titanium components to customers, reinforcing additive manufacturing’s growing role in the aerospace industry. This achievement underscores the potential of advanced AM technology in producing safe, durable, and regulatory-compliant components that push the boundaries of traditional manufacturing.
