Airbus builds THOR with 3-D

In Norse mythology, Thor, was the god of thunder. Airbus introduced its mighty, new creation with the same name using addictive manufacturing. The company showcased the world’s first 3-D printed aircraft at the ILA Berlin Air Show 2016. Airbus’ THOR (Test of High-tech Objectives in Reality) weighs about 42.3 pounds and measures less than 13-feet long. “This is a test of what's possible with 3-D printing technology,” says Detlev Konigorski, developer of THOR for Airbus. While THOR turned heads, the European manufacturer still has a way to go before it can introduce its first 3-D printed passenger jet. Additionally, CFM International - a joint venture between GE Aviation-Snecma (Safran) has incorporated 3-D technology within its LEAP engine, which features 19 printed fuel nozzles in its combustion system, lowering its weight overall by 25 percent. (Source: MRO Network 06/07/16) GE Aviation has two aviation systems manufacturing plants in Mississippi – Batesville and Ellisville. Airbus North American has a helicopter production center near Columbus – building Army UH-72A Lakota helicopters.