
Imagine you're a project manager in the aerospace sector, tasked with delivering components that not only meet stringent quality standards but also arrive on time. The pressure is on, and you're faced with a dilemma: traditional manufacturing methods are slow, costly, and often fail to deliver the precision needed for critical applications. This scenario is all too common in the aerospace and defense industries, where the demand for high-quality, compliant parts is paramount.
In these sectors, companies grapple with a range of challenges, including long lead times, high production costs, and the complexities of meeting rigorous compliance standards. These hurdles can lead to delays in production and increased operational costs, ultimately impacting project timelines and budgets. Understanding these challenges is crucial as it highlights the need for innovative solutions like AS9100D-certified 3D printing solutions.
AS9100D certification represents a commitment to quality management systems, ensuring that products meet industry standards for safety and reliability. This certification is not just a badge of honor; it's a vital component of operational excellence in aerospace and defense. By leveraging AS9100D-certified 3D printing, companies can significantly enhance their design and manufacturing capabilities, reduce lead times, and improve overall quality.
In this article, we'll explore the top 5 3D printing adopters that meet AS9100D standards, designed to help you achieve the precision and compliance required in the Aerospace and Defense sectors. Let's dive in.
Best for: Comprehensive 3D printing solutions with AS9100D certification.
American Additive Manufacturing is a leader in providing AS9100D certified 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing services, ensuring repeatable high-quality outputs for critical applications.

American Additive Manufacturing specializes in additive manufacturing services that cater specifically to the aerospace and defense sectors. Their expertise lies in producing highly engineered polymer (e.g. ULTEM, ANTERO) components with a quality system which meets the rigorous standards set forth by AS9100D certification, ensuring reliably high quality and repeatability.
1. Expert design collaboration with clients to ensure optimal part functionality, Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM), part count reduction.
2. Large build envelopes (up to 36"x24"x36"), as well as small components in production volumes, to accommodate complex parts, and enabling the production of intricate designs that traditional methods struggle to achieve.
3. Rapid prototyping services that significantly reduce time to market, allowing companies to test and iterate designs quickly.
4. Broad range of engineered polymers to meet the customer's required special performance characteristics.
5. Additive Manufacturing of production parts for Aerospace & Defense systems, including AIS certification for flight-worthy parts.
Clients engage with American Additive Manufacturing by submitting designs for review. The team collaborates closely with each client to ensure that the final product meets the required design specifications, and with AS9100D compliance. This collaborative approach fosters innovation and efficiency throughout the design and manufacturing process.
The unmatched collaboration, precision and reliability offered by American Additive Manufacturing make it an ideal choice for organizations in Aerospace and Defense that demand high-quality outputs. Their commitment to quality assurance ensures that every component produced is compliant with industry standards.
Best for: Advanced Additive Manufacturing
Boeing is recognized for its commitment to innovation in aerospace manufacturing, utilizing AS9100D certified 3D printing services to produce high-quality components. The company has successfully integrated advanced materials such as ULTEM and Antero into its manufacturing processes, enhancing performance and compliance.

Boeing's approach to additive manufacturing initially focused on leveraging high-performance polymers, particularly ULTEM 9085 and Antero 800NA, which are known for their strength, heat resistance, and lightweight properties. These materials are ideal for aerospace applications, where performance and reliability are critical. The use of Metal AM is expanding.
1. Utilization of ULTEM and Antero materials, which provide superior mechanical properties and thermal stability, making them suitable for demanding aerospace environments.
2. Ability to produce complex geometries that traditional manufacturing methods cannot achieve, allowing for innovative designs and optimized performance.
3. Streamlined production processes that reduce lead times while maintaining compliance with AS9100D standards, ensuring quality and reliability.
Boeing's additive manufacturing process begins with the selection of materials like ULTEM and Antero, followed by the creation of detailed designs. The team collaborates with engineers to ensure that each component meets stringent aerospace requirements. This integration of advanced materials into the manufacturing process not only enhances product performance but also supports sustainability efforts by minimizing waste.
The use of ULTEM and Antero in Boeing's 3D printing positions the company as a leader in the aerospace sector. These materials' unique properties enable Boeing to deliver components that meet high-performance standards while adhering to strict regulatory requirements.
Best for: Cutting-edge additive manufacturing utilizing high-performance polymers like ULTEM and Antero. The use of Metal AM is expanding.
Lockheed Martin is a prominent player in the aerospace sector, leveraging internal and external AS9100D certified 3D printing services to enhance its manufacturing processes. The company's focus on advanced materials such as ULTEM and Antero allows for the production of components that meet the demanding requirements of aerospace applications, ensuring both performance and compliance.

Lockheed Martin's commitment to innovation in additive manufacturing is evident in its use of high-performance polymers, particularly ULTEM 9085 and Antero 800NA. These materials are known for their exceptional strength, thermal stability, and lightweight characteristics, making them highly suitable for aerospace components that require both durability and precision.
1. Integration of ULTEM and Antero materials, offering superior mechanical properties ideal for critical aerospace applications.
2. Ability to manufacture complex geometries that traditional manufacturing techniques may struggle to produce, enabling innovative design solutions.
3. Efficient production processes that align with AS9100D standards, ensuring quality and reliability throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
The additive manufacturing process at Lockheed Martin begins with the careful selection of materials, such as ULTEM and Antero. The design phase involves close collaboration with engineers to ensure that each component meets stringent aerospace requirements. This approach not only enhances the performance of the final products but also contributes to sustainability efforts by minimizing material waste.
Lockheed Martin's use of ULTEM and Antero in its 3D printing services positions the company as a leader in the aerospace industry. The unique properties of these materials enable the production of components that meet high-performance standards while adhering to strict regulatory requirements. This blend of innovation and compliance makes Lockheed Martin an excellent choice for aerospace and defense organizations seeking reliable and advanced manufacturing solutions.
Best for: Advanced additive manufacturing utilizing high-performance polymers like ULTEM and Antero.
General Atomics is at the forefront of aerospace innovation, employing AS9100D certified 3D printing services to produce high-quality components. The company's focus on high-performance polymers, specifically ULTEM, allows for the creation of parts that meet the stringent requirements of aerospace applications, ensuring both performance and compliance.

General Atomics utilizes additive manufacturing solutions tailored for the aerospace sector, including advanced materials like ULTEM 9085 and Antero 800NA. These materials are recognized for their exceptional strength, heat resistance, and lightweight characteristics, making them ideal for critical aerospace components that demand durability and precision.
1. Utilization of high-performance polymers, providing superior mechanical properties necessary for aerospace applications.
2. Capability to produce complex geometries that traditional manufacturing methods may struggle to achieve, enabling innovative designs that enhance performance.
3. Efficient production processes that align with AS9100D standards, ensuring quality and reliability throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
The additive manufacturing process at General Atomics begins with the careful selection of materials. The design phase involves close collaboration with engineers to ensure that each component meets stringent aerospace requirements and optimizes design. This approach not only enhances the performance of the final products but also contributes to sustainability efforts by minimizing material waste.
General Atomics' expertise in 3D printing services positions the company as a leader in the aerospace industry. The unique properties of these materials enable the production of components that meet high-performance standards while adhering to strict regulatory requirements. This blend of innovation and compliance makes General Atomics an excellent choice for aerospace and defense organizations seeking reliable and advanced manufacturing solutions.
Best for: Advanced Additive Manufacturing.
RTX is a significant player in the aerospace sector, employing AS9100D certified 3D printing services to produce high-quality components. The company focuses on utilizing high-performance polymers, specifically ULTEM and Antero, to manufacture parts that meet the stringent requirements of aerospace applications, ensuring both performance and compliance.

RTX utilizes advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored for the aerospace and defense industries. Their use of high-performance polymers like ULTEM 9085 and Antero 800NA enables the production of lightweight, durable components that are essential for various aerospace applications. These materials are recognized for their exceptional mechanical properties, heat resistance, and overall reliability.
1. Integration of ULTEM and Antero materials, providing superior mechanical properties necessary for critical aerospace applications.
2. Capability to produce complex geometries that traditional manufacturing methods may struggle to achieve, which allows for innovative design solutions that enhance performance.
3. Efficient production processes that align with AS9100D standards, ensuring quality and reliability throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
The additive manufacturing process at RTX begins with the careful selection of high-performance materials like ULTEM and Antero. The design phase involves close collaboration with engineers to ensure that each component meets stringent aerospace requirements. This collaborative approach not only enhances the performance of the final products but also contributes to sustainability efforts by minimizing material waste.
RTX's expertise in utilizing ULTEM and Antero in its 3D printing services positions the company as a leader in the aerospace industry. The unique properties of these materials enable the production of components that meet high-performance standards while adhering to strict regulatory requirements. This blend of innovation and compliance makes RTX an excellent choice for aerospace and defense organizations seeking reliable and advanced manufacturing solutions.
The listed 3D printing adopters demonstrate a range of options tailored to meet the strict requirements of the aerospace and defense industries. Each adopter incorporates capabilities that align with industry needs, ensuring that quality and compliance are prioritized.
Understanding these strengths will enable you to make informed decisions about adopting 3D Printing in alignment with your project requirements. Explore the recommended adopters and consider your unique needs to find the best 3D printing solution for your aerospace or defense projects.
If you're ready to take the next step in enhancing your manufacturing capabilities, request a quote today from American Additive Manufacturing to learn how AS9100D-certified services can elevate your component and systems performance.