Case Study: Airbus achieves 15% lighter, flight-ready cabin panels with Materialise

Airbus Gets on Board with 3D Printing

Airbus needed a faster, cost‑effective way to produce small-batch spacer panels for cabin retrofits where new elements had to integrate seamlessly with existing overhead components. With tight lead times, strict flight‑readiness and aesthetic requirements, and the high cost/slow turnaround of custom injection molds, Airbus turned to Materialise’s aerospace manufacturing facility to 3D print the panels using FDM technology and tailored post‑production finishing.

Materialise produced and finished the panels end‑to‑end, meeting Airbus cabin trim standards and using flame‑retardant, Airbus‑approved paints. The result: Airbus’s first cabin‑ready 3D‑printed parts with full bionic design certification, a 15% weight reduction versus the original design, faster small‑batch delivery and compliance backed by Materialise’s certified quality system (including EN 9100 and EASA 21.G).

Airbus