The Display Management Switch (DMS) knob on the F-16’s sidestick can now be printed using a 3D printer thanks to innovation by airmen from Aviano air base, Italy.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Moeder
The 1st Maintenance Group was struggling to repair the DMS due to the long time required to order the adhesive that will replace the old switch with a new one.
“There was an adhesive that we’ve had on order for about eight months, and getting any kind of item like that over to Italy is a long process,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kyle Eilefson, 31 Maintenance Squadron avionics intermediate section chief.
Four sections within the 31st Maintenance Group came together to brainstorm for an idea and they came out with a solution that involves printing the knob using a 3D printer and fixing it directly on the switch.
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