Flying further and faster with additive manufacturing

Gravity Industries augments the body and mind with a suite of patent pending technology to enable unparalleled human flight.

Launched in March 2017, their dream was to reimagine human flight with an elegant partnership between mind, body and machine, exploiting leading edge technology. This vision led to the creation of the Gravity Jet Suit.

Gravity Industries approached 3T with a requirement to reduce weight and streamline the existing design of their Turbine Arm Mount. The implementation of additive manufacturing from 3T would result in a slick, lightweight design.

Here’s what Richard Browning, CEO and Founder had to say:

What’s the background of the Arm Mount?
The part we’ve worked on is an Aluminium turbine housing arm assembly for the Gravity Industries Jet Suit. This section of the kit positions the turbines on the body and transfers the thrust to the body of the pilot. We started the 3T journey with plastic parts and then we worked closely together to build the Aluminium arm mount.

What problem were you trying to solve?
We needed to create a lightweight low-profile mount with a structurally sound geometry. Working closely on our original design with the internal 3T CAD team, the result has evolved from using standard manufactured parts with material removed – with a concentrated focus on a low mass product.

How was the problem affecting you?
With all flight systems, weight is always an issue to be considered. More weight = less Jet Suit flight time so it’s critical to our ongoing development that we can create this system while all the time considering the weight, the aerodynamics of the Jet Suit and how that affects flight agility and capability.

What possible solutions did you consider?
At Gravity Industries we are constantly innovating each day, and while it may not seem like it, simplicity is often key. Solutions have included creating a simpler form produced from stock material such as tube and sheet metal.

What would have happened if you hadn’t made the change?
Without our innovative modifications and understanding the additive manufacturing process 3T offer, we would have a less elegant Jet Suit solution with decreased functionality and increased mass, so you can see how important it is that we keep our form lightweight, with a streamlined structure which is consistently being evaluated and assessed for further innovation and structural improvements.

What measurable benefits have you seen?
Benefits have included introducing lightweight complex additions to the Jet Suit with a low part count featuring a consolidation of the parts and easier assembly. This has also enabled us to build a more efficient geometry and use of material in only areas where it is required. Essentially, it means we can fly further and faster!

“With rapid innovation comes the need to work with companies who have an equally rapid response rate and an ability to match speed of progression. Working with 3T gives us the opportunity to work together with a really capable and motivated team as we constantly enhance the Jet Suit design.”

Richard Browning, Chief Test Pilot and Founder, Gravity Industries

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