Air Works to offer 3D Printing Services for Aerospace & Defense

26 May 2021

DELHI/ NCR, Air Works, India’s largest independent MRO and aviation services major, has joined hands with leading additive manufacturing-engineering services (AM-ESP) provider, Objectify Technologies, to serve the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industry by leveraging 3D technologies.

This alliance marks a strategic shift in Air Works' business focus as the Company looks to not only expand its portfolio beyond aviation to aerospace & defense but to also transition from its erstwhile role as an aviation services provider into an aviation solutions provider.

As part of the collaboration, both Air Works and Objectify Technologies will identify and pursue business opportunities in the Aerospace and Defense industry, including the requirements of commercial, private jet owners, or operators, globally.

Given their unique advantages, 3D technologies, especially 3D printing, has been witnessing increasing global adoption in recent years, especially in the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries. 3D printing uses a variety of complex, new generation compounds and polymers (3D materials) with special characteristics to offer extensive customization in product design including printing and production of parts/ sub-parts and even entire assemblies, which are either difficult, prohibitively expensive or cannot be manufactured by traditional manufacturing processes. Compared to the traditional methods, which are both time-consuming and voluminous, 3D printing saves time, and money and suits the on-demand manufacturing.

Commenting on the strategic collaboration, Mr. D Anand Bhaskar, MD & CEO of Air Works said, "We are excited to join hands with Objectify Technologies – a domain specialist and the country’s leading additive manufacturing-engineering services player. 3D printing technologies are fast coming of age and seeing extensive adoption across the manufacturing industry. Increasingly, even global aviation, aerospace and defense industries are inching towards reaping complete benefits of this emerging technology. Our partnership with Objectify Technologies reflects our commitment to always offer the latest and the best- in-class solutions to our customers in the aviation fraternity. I am confident that this collaboration will benefit the entire spectrum of our customers across business and executive aviation, commercial airlines and the defense sector."

"The collaboration also signals the transformation of business on the part of Air Works, which has 70 years of rich aviation legacy, to address upcoming opportunities in the Aerospace and Defense sector, broadening our value proposition by investing in partnerships that allow us to offer cutting-edge technologies," he added.

As per the current arrangement, while Air Works will manage regulatory compliances for Civil and Defense segments, Objectify Technologies will contribute with design and manufacturing capabilities. The arrangement also provides for both parties to also team up for exploring opportunities in other base materials, manufacturing technologies, and industry segments in the future.

“3D printing technology and materials are increasingly gaining relevance across industries given their good strength-to-weight ratio, excellent dimensional accuracy, strength and stiffness, lightness, wear resistance, good thermal performance, and Non-corrosiveness. As a pioneer, Air Works occupies a fundamental place in the Indian aviation ecosystem, and we are proud and privileged to partner with the country’s leading aviation services provider having a domain experience of over 70 years. Our alliance with Air Works will put us in an enviable position to address the challenges of not just aviation but also those of the fast-growing aerospace and defense sectors using our collective synergies." said Ankit Sahu, Director of Objectify Technologies Private Ltd.

Objectify Technologies, which counts Pratt & Whitney, HAL, ISRO, Collins Aerospace, Indian Air Force (IAF), and DRDO as some of its clients, aims to serve the global aerospace industry in partnership with Air Works, to optimize their costs at a time when the industry is going through challenging times amid the COVID pandemic.

Air Works is not only India’s largest provider of Line Maintenance services to global airlines but is certified to maintain more than 50 types of aircraft, making it also the most diversified MRO in the country with a pan-India presence in 27 locations with more than1500 employees. It also provides commercial aircraft asset management services, avionics, and aircraft finishing services apart from MRO-related offerings. Its customers include both civil (fixed wing + rotary wing) and military customers apart from global OEMs, commercial airlines, business aviation companies, and leading global lessors.

Reputed for its excellent workmanship and attention to detail, Air Works is highly trusted by the aviation industry for its reliability and has executed and delivered several industry and country-first projects in the field of aviation maintenance including structural works, avionics as well as design.

About Air Works Group

Established in 1951, Air Works Group is India’s biggest and highly diversified independent MRO with the largest pan- India network presence across 27 cities. It is the preferred MRO partner to global aviation OEMs, aircraft owners/ operators (including Fixed Wing & Rotary Wing), lessors, airlines and the Indian Defense Services, offering a host of services including MRO and heavy checks, Line maintenance, Cabin and Interior refurbishment, Exterior finishing and painting, Avionics upgrades, integrations and retrofits, End-of-lease/ redelivery checks, Maintenance training (CAR147), and Asset Management services to domestic and international clients.

Specialized services such as Avionics, Component repairs and Asset Management services are offered via Group companies – SA Air Works and Acumen Aviation. Air Works undertakes base maintenance for ATR 42/72, A320 and B737 family of aircraft as well as medium and large business jets at its EASA and DGCA-certified facilities including Mumbai, Delhi, Hosur and Kochi*, supported by  duly certified, in-house shops. The Company also undertakes modification and assembly of rotary-wing aircraft and is an Authorized Service Centre (ASC) for Bell and Leonardo helicopters.

Air Works enjoys an impeccable reputation in the industry for proven capabilities, outstanding workmanship, quality, and an exceptional safety orientation. The Company takes immense pride in its 70 Year aviation legacy and a culture that accords paramount importance to customers, which has allowed it to successfully deliver several India-first and industry-first projects.

For more details, visit: www.airworks.aero