FAA-certified Microvanes Delivered Using SLS platforms and Glass-filled Materials• Company’s Aerospace and Defense Production Expertise Delivers On-demand Mission-Critical Parts

Rapid Application Group (RAG) today announced a manufacturing agreement with Metro Aerospace for the provision of FAA-certified parts using SLS additive manufacturing. Metro Aerospace, based in Dallas TX, delivers innovative Microvanes that reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency in both military and civilian aircraft and was the first company to achieve FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for 3D printed parts designed for use on an aircraft exterior.

RAG, a defense contract parts supplier, has been building a reputation for innovative, cost-effective, and fast provision of mission-critical parts in aerospace and defense manufacturing by applying both traditional as well as additive manufacturing methodologies. The company has more than seven different additive manufacturing technologies enabling the team to apply the best solutions to each challenge.

"Given the rigorous standards and the extreme operating conditions for the Microvanes, SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) with glass-filled materials are the only realistic choice," said Jason Dickman, COO, Rapid Application Group. "To meet the rigorous manufacturing requirements we qualified our sPro™ 60 HD-HS SLS platforms and Duraform® GF materials, from 3D Systems, achieving the First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) and traceability to meet FAA regulations within weeks." Microvanes were originally developed and patented by Lockheed Martin, and Metro holds the exclusive global license for the production, sale and distribution of the product. Metro's mission is to deliver new and innovative ways to improve aircraft performance through advanced manufacturing and state-of-the-art materials.

Microvanes are now in use on cargo aircraft across five continents and deliver up to a 4% reduction in fuel consumption and a related reduction in carbon emissions, as well reducing engine wear and overall cost of operation. They are in use on multiple variants of the C-130 aircraft across the world, and have also been optimized for the C-17 GlobeMaster aircraft.
For Metro, the use of additive manufacturing is an advantage to its business process by avoiding high startup costs as well as delivering parts on demand.

"From the start of this as a commercial project in 2017, additive manufacturing was an obvious choice and SLS was the best solution," said Tim Watkins, VP of Business Development, Metro Aerospace. "For a low-volume parts business, the cost of injection molding production lines would have driven costs too high. With SLS additive manufacturing at Rapid Application Group, we can produce parts to order at affordable cost. With such quality materials and RAG's proven, repeatable high-quality processes, we know the parts will remain viable. We are very excited about this partnership."

About Rapid Application Group
Rapid Application Group LLC is a HUBZone and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Discipline, loyalty, integrity and meticulous quality are its guiding principles. Its mission critical, application-based approach separates and elevates RAG from the ordinary online 3D printing services. RAG guarantees customers the right solution for manufactured parts delivered on time, every time. RAG maintains certifications for, and compliance with, AS9100D, ISO 9001, ITAR, HUBZone and SDVOSB, and is a member of America Makes.

http://www.rapidapplicationgroup.com