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China's state-owned Aviation Engine Corporation of China (AECC), specializing in aerospace engine development, has successfully conducted a groundbreaking experiment. The company's engineers utilized a 3D printer to create a micro-turbojet engine, which subsequently validated its capabilities in flight. This achievement represents a fully functional, operational device, not merely a model.

The 3D-printed engine launched from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, reaching an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level and generating approximately 160 kilograms of thrust. AECC developers believe this marks the first successful test flight in history to employ an entirely or partially 3D-printed engine.

While AECC has not disclosed detailed technical specifications, the device was developed in-house. A portion of its components were 3D-printed, which contributed to a reduction in overall weight without significant cost increases. The primary accomplishment of this project lies not merely in the flight itself, but rather in the demonstration of the immense potential of 3D printing technology.

The AECC engineering team asserts that 3D printing is a flexible manufacturing asset that is often underestimated. The successful flight of this turbo-engine clearly illustrates the significant potential of this technology, particularly within the aerospace industry, thereby opening new avenues for future projects.

ORIENT

Photo: Aero Engine Corporation of China