Noctua x Rapid Manufacturing – where additive manufacturing takes flight
Experience the ETH Noctua drone live at our booth. With structural components produced using SLS and SLM, it demonstrates how additive manufacturing delivers real-world performance – and how strong partnerships lead to real innovation.
Additive manufacturing in aerospace – live at AMX 2025
ETH Zurich is known worldwide for technical innovation. In the Noctua focus project, a multidisciplinary student team developed an autonomous drone with a five-meter wingspan, lightweight composite construction, and precision-fit structural components.
Rapid Manufacturing AG supported Noctua as a production partner. We delivered functional connection elements via SLS and critical metal parts via SLM, all tailored precisely to the drone’s composite framework. These 3D-printed parts are fully integrated into the wing structure and have proven their reliability in flight testing.
This collaboration shows how additive manufacturing can be successfully applied in aerospace – material-efficient, functional, and built for demanding applications. Our role went beyond producing parts. We provided fast, tailored support and acted as a true engineering partner from concept to execution.
We present the full Noctua drone suspended above our booth!
Team members from Noctua will be on-site to share insights into the project, development process, and collaboration. You’ll also find original SLS and SLM parts, sample materials, and technical background on display.
What you can expect:
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Live drone display with real 3D-printed structural parts
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Additive components produced using SLS and SLM
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Direct exchange with the ETH Noctua team and our manufacturing specialists
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Real-world examples of additive manufacturing in aerospace and research
Visit us in Hall 1, Booth E1165 – AMX 2025 in Lucerne
Rapid Manufacturing – your partner for precise prototypes, functional series parts, and engineering-driven production
