Printed titanium parts expected to save millions in Boeing Dreamliner costs

Boeing Co hired Norsk Titanium to print the first structural titanium parts for its 787 Dreamliner, a shift that the Norwegian three-dimensional (3-D) printing company said would eventually shave $2-million to $3-million off the cost of each plane. The contract announced on Monday is a major step in Boeing's effort to boost the profitability of the 787 and a sign of growing industrial acceptance of the durability of 3-D printed metal parts, allowing them to replace pieces made with more expensive traditional manufacturing in demanding aerospace applications.