The sector will witness a shift from ‘print to build’ projects to ‘design to build’ projects in the near future. Courtesy: Aequs

Fuel Efficiency
In order to stay relevant, aerospace players need to understand these disruptive changes and incorporate them in to their business. One of the key areas of interest for aerospace companies is fuel efficiency or optimisation. Fuel consists of at least 33 percent of the total operational costs therefore global companies like Airbus and Boeing have dedicated their resources and new age technology to optimise fuel capabilities. These companies are offering various packages to boost fuel efficiency. They add aerodynamic devices to wingtips which can cut fuel by up to five percent on single aisle jets.

Composite Materials
Composites are the most preferred type of aerospace materials as they are low in weight, increase manufacturing productivity (processing speeds), lower VOC emissions, and have better corrosion resistance, among others. A composite is made by combining two or more distinct materials to achieve superior properties, one for binding and the other as a reinforcement material. It is an excellent choice of material for new generation aircrafts and will see larger use than aluminium in near future.

Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT has the potential to revolutionise the aerospace industry and change the way it functions, entirely. It can transform day to day tasks at even the lowest level and make the manufacturing process more integrated. IoT has a profound effect on assembly, manufacturing, maintenance and safety among others. It can tackle complex situations effortlessly and help the aerospace industry adopt global trends such as embedded sensors in engines, device monitors, data storage and other IT advancements.

Additive Manufacturing
3D printing or additive manufacturing is an upcoming trend in manufacturing, including the aerospace manufacturing sector. 3D printing uses sophisticated computer simulations to directly print objects from materials like nylon, clays, thermoplastics and metals. It is still at its nascent stage in the aerospace sector but undeniably has the potential to change the entire process of manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing can increase production rate and assembly of complex aerospace parts. Some of the other advantages of additive manufacturing are that companies can use it to replace metals with plastic components to decrease the entire weight of the aircraft and also reduce project time, material wastage and warehouse space. One of the main challenges in additive manufacturing is to ensure and convince customers that 3D components are as efficient, if not more, as their counter parts. Global companies have also entered this sphere to tap into India's potential and to develop the country's manufacturing capabilities.

Way forward
The aerospace manufacturing industry is at the cusp of disruption. Additive manufacturing, IoT integration, efficient fuels amongst others are just the start of a digital manufacturing process which, in the near future, will ideally involve automation, big data applications, AI, and robotics. Other emerging trends are customisation, energy efficiency and environmentally sustainable manufacturing tools and processes. Rapid advances in these sectors will help transform manufacturing technologies to meet the increasingly competitive industry demands.

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