#United States #Los Angeles #Aerospace #Saab #Divergent Technologies

Divergent Technologies and Saab Revolutionize Aviation

Divergent Technologies, Inc. and Saab have made headlines by announcing the successful delivery of the initial fuselages for a forward-thinking autonomous aircraft concept. This momentous achievement signifies a new era in aerospace engineering, as it showcases an innovative manufacturing process that could redefine how aircraft are designed and built.

Innovative Manufacturing Approach

The fuselages, intricately designed and crafted in cooperation with Saab, employ a state-of-the-art method that eliminates the need for traditional tooling or fixturing. Instead, the duo leveraged Divergent's cutting-edge Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS™), a fully digital and software-driven manufacturing platform. This transformative technology integrates artificial intelligence, industrial additive manufacturing, and robotic assembly, allowing for a faster, more cost-effective, and efficient production process.

According to Lukas Czinger, Co-founder and CEO of Divergent, this ambitious project demonstrates the potential unlocked when modern aircraft concepts are paired with a digital manufacturing ecosystem. He stated, "By tightly integrating digital design, additive manufacturing, and automated assembly, our teams were able to realize a large-scale fuselage structure aligned with Saab's vision, while moving with a level of speed, flexibility, and structural integration that traditional approaches cannot match."

A Record-Breaking Achievement

The crafted fuselage stands out as one of the most substantial laser powder bed fusion structures to take part in powered flight testing. Measuring 15 feet in length and constructed from 26 uniquely printed components, this assembly marks a significant milestone in demonstrating the advanced capabilities of Divergent's fixtureless assembly technology. The achievement not only highlights the technical prowess of the involved teams but also signifies the growing acceptance and application of additive manufacturing in aviation.

Collaborative Success

Saab's Axel Bååthe, head of the company's innovation arm known as Rainbow, emphasized the project's significance by stating, "Adopting Divergent's additively manufactured and digitally designed structures has given our joint team unparalleled flexibility in this development process. We see digital design and advanced manufacturing as a key enabler of our collaborative success in this project." This statement underscores the potential of collaborative innovation between engineering firms and the impact of transforming traditional production methodologies to meet future aerospace demands.

The Future of Aerospace Manufacturing

Divergent Technologies is at the forefront of an industrial revolution, creating the first fully integrated software-hardware production system tailored for the digital manufacturing landscape. The Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS™) promises to reshape production economics, optimize designs, minimize material usage, and eliminate significant upfront capital expenditure, particularly in sectors like automotive, aerospace, and defense.

Saab, on the other hand, is a notable player in the global defense and security arena, dedicated to ensuring safety and security for nations and their inhabitants. With staff strength reaching 27,000 globally, Saab harnesses technology to innovate in various domains including aeronautics and sensor systems, thus maintaining a robust operational presence worldwide.

Both companies are demonstrating the vast potential of combining innovative technologies and collaborative efforts, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in aerospace. The successful delivery of these fuselages is not just a step forward for Saab and Divergent but may also represent a transformative pivot for the aviation industry as a whole.

As the world looks to the future, the developments in manufacturing processes and rapid prototyping technologies hold the promise of enhancing capabilities and addressing critical challenges in air travel, ultimately leading to safer and more efficient aircraft. The journey towards achieving unprecedented heights in aviation continues, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision for a sustainable future.

For more information about Divergent Technologies and their pioneering production systems, you can visit Divergent’s Website. Likewise, to learn more about Saab and their projects, check out Saab's Rainforest site.