Cabin Management Solutions (CMS) leverages Markforged 3D Printers for FAA-Compliant End-Use Parts
Markforged's X7 3D Printers with Onyx FR and Gold Metal Electroplating Produce High-End Aircraft Parts
Markforged, creator of the integrated metal and carbon fibre additive manufacturing platform, ‘The Digital Forge’, announced Cabin Management Solutions (CMS), a privately held in-flight cabin management and entertainment systems company, is utilizing two Markforged X7™ industrial carbon fiber 3D printers to print high-quality, end-use parts for cabin management maintenance, upgrades, and replacements for luxury aircrafts.
Established in 2019, CMS works frequently with aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies and individual aircraft owners to design and develop cabin control and entertainment systems for luxury, private, and business jets.
CMS uses Onyx™ FR to fabricate custom parts that are high-strength, low-weight, flame-retardant, and FAA compliant. CMS has earned recognition for quick time to market, high-quality deliverables, and a rigorous testing and certification process, thanks to the X7 printers, which have improved the quality and speed of parts production.
Jeff Pike, VP of Engineering at CMS said, “In the aerospace industry, quality and on-the-fly adaptability are crucial to success. We often have to produce low-volume, high-value parts from scratch which can be time- and labour-intensive. Markforged’s X7 allows us to do this quickly and more efficiently, while ensuring functionality and retaining the upscale aesthetics expected in luxury aircrafts.”
Using the Markforged’s X7 3D printer, the CMS team has printed at least 100 different parts on one aircraft, including approximately 20 light switch panels, a cabin climate controller, latches, release buttons, USB-C and drop-in USB-A chargers, and adjustable touch screen brackets. In order to meet the specific demands of its luxury-oriented customers, the CMS team then adds an extra level of customization via overlays that mimic upscale cabin surfaces including gold metal electroplating, wood veneer, and more. CMS's process ensures that the end-product is FAA compliant while exceeding customers' aesthetic expectations.
CMS intends to continue leveraging Markforged's additive solutions in the future, particularly with the recent release of OnyxTM FR-A and Carbon Fiber FR-A—aerospace-ready versions of its Onyx FR and Carbon Fiber FR materials. These two new materials have full material traceability and are undergoing qualification on the Markforged X7 printer via a program run by the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP), one of two FAA-approved bodies for material qualification. Once this process is complete, CMS will be able to increase its overall production speed, resulting in the addition of even more jobs to its already growing pipeline.
Markforged President and CEO Shai Terem states, “CMS has incorporated Markforged technology into their business in a way that enables them to maintain their reputation for high-quality and give themselves competitive advantage. Our technology is not only about printing parts faster and at the point of need, but also giving aerospace manufacturers the confidence that their parts meet the regulatory and functional requirements of their industry.”
Source: Markforged