VFGF process by Q.Big 3D: Oversized plastic parts 3D printed

Related Vendors

This is the plastic used in the 3D-printed cockpit

For the frame of the cockpit, Murtfeldt AS used a partially aromatic polyamide with a 25 percent glass fiber content (Q.mid GF25). This material has particularly high dimensional stability (0 percent longitudinally, 0.2 percent laterally). The temperature stability holds up to 200 °C. The rigidity is high and the material can be very well painted. The finished cockpit assembly is finally painted matte black (throughput time approximately two weeks), so no disturbing light reflections occur in the simulator.

Large component printing with a well-tempered build space

The application of the 3D extrusion printer Queen 1 from Q.Big 3D also convinced in the project with a high surface quality, which is maintained even with strong overhangs of the geometry. The dimensional accuracy could also be achieved. These results are due to a well-thought-out plant technology. The active temperature control of an outer chamber as well as the construction space of the Queen 1 allow a stable and repeatable process. Thus, the temperatures - not only of the construction space but also of the entire mechanics, regardless of temperature fluctuations in the production hall - can be kept constant. Also special is the variable nozzle of the Queen 1. A variable nozzle control, which is adapted to the peculiarities of each geometry, ensures fast build-up rates. Delicate areas of the components are built in the normal mode of the nozzle. Flat infill areas on the thick struts of the cockpit, however, in the fast turbo mode. This reduces the manufacturing time and ensures a higher stability. The Queen 1 automatically realizes the change of the modes. Constructively, Reiser specified sensitive areas for the nozzle control. At the screwing points of the door hinges, for example, solid material was specified. This allows a greatly shortened manufacturing time and a resource-saving lightweight construction of the 3D components.

Gallery

Here, a Queen 1 from Q.Big 3D is printing on the simulator cockpit at Murtfeldt AS. The production only takes a few months. The basis of the VFGF process is the extrusion of standard granules.(Image: Q.Big 3D)

A look at the gap dimensions on the simulator cockpit. These too are executed according to the specifications. Murtfeldt AS sees the VFGF process for large part printing as a milestone in additive fabrication with plastics.(Image: Q.Big 3D)

This is what a Queen 1 from Q.Big 3D looks like, as it was used at Murtfeldt AS to print the modularly built helicopter cockpit. Cost advantages for the client result from the fact that there is no need for expensive tools and costly plastic filaments.(Image: Q.Big 3D)

For the helicopter cockpit for the flight simulator, the dimensional accuracy for later assembly and the surface quality must be correct. As you can see here in detail, this works perfectly with the Queen 1 from Q.Big 3D in 3D printing.(Image: Q.Big 3D)

Gallery with 6 images

Review of the use of the VFGF process:

Additive manufacturing of the cockpit using the Queen-1 system technology without a tool brings a lower investment risk and the omission of reworking costs for the user. Furthermore, this strategy also offers advantages over other 3D printing strategies, such as SLS or FDM printing, because the components usually often have to be glued. This limits the functionality, tightness and dimensional accuracy due to tolerance inaccuracies. Murtfeldt AS's conclusion: With Q.Big 3D's innovative VFGF system technology for large-volume 3D components, additional areas of application for the SLS manufacturing strategy can be specifically developed. If you master the entire process chain, complex, large 3D components with high repeatability and component quality are possible at a higher level than before.

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.

3D Print Queen