3D Printing: A proposed subject for BS AMT Course of PATTS

College of Aeronautics 

Proponents: 

Almozara thes 

Calapan 

Felipe 

Victorio 

Villatuya 

A Research Proposal 

Presented to the 

PATTS COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS 

Lombos Ave. San Isidro, Paranaque City 

In Partial Fulfillment 

of AMT 420 - Aviation Thesis 

September 2021
ABSTRACT 
The study aimed to be used in Patts College of Aeronautics as a new

curriculum for students to learn more about the features used in

building or fishing aircraft in the aviation industry. The problem is

that it may be expensive and another certificate for both students and

teachers because the 3D printing topic is new to the curriculum which

isn’t common yet. The best solution may be to lessen material cost

and for teachers to be given more knowledge when it comes to 3D

printing. 

The methodology includes the methods in conducting the study. To

determine the demographic profile of the respondents, The

importance of adding 3d printed in the curriculum, and how it would

affect the aviation schools. 

The significance of using 3D printing is to make specific parts,

lowering the actual cost and time consuming to produce and install

the parts of the aircraft.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Title page i 

Abstract ii 

Chapter 1 

Introduction 
 Statement of the Problem 

Purpose of the Study 

Conceptual Framework 

Chapter 2 

Foreign Related Literature 

Local Related Literature 

Synthesis 

Chapter 3 

Methods of Research 

Participants of the Study 

Data Gathering Instrument 

Statistical Treatment of Data 

Chapter 4 

Chapter 5
CHAPTER 1 

INTRODUCTION 

1.1 Background of the Study 

1.2 

P.D. 1570 created the aeronautical profession in the

Philippines in 1982. Given the rising trends in aircraft manufacture

and production, as well as need for professionals who can compete in

the aviation field, aircraft research and development, manufacturing,

maintenance, operation, and aviation education have become

extremely important in the aviation business. When compared to

other professions recognized by the Professional Regulation

Commission, they are among the fewest in number (Delicano,

2014).One institution offering this is the Philippine Air Transport and

Training Services (PATTS). is an aeronautical school at Lombos

Ave., Brgy. San Isidro, Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. It was

founded by Atty. Ambrosio R. Valdez Sr. 

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),

the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the National

Telecommunication Commission all accept PATTS course programs

(NTC). PATTS is an Approved Training Organization (ATO) for

Airframe, Powerplant, and Avionics, according to the Civil Aviation

Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). PATTS students can work on,

disassemble, and assemble aircraft parts and engines in the

laboratories under the direct supervision of duty licensed

professionals.

BS Aircraft Maintenance Technology is a bachelor's degree in

aircraft maintenance technology. This course is meant to educate

students for the highly technical sector of aviation maintenance,

repair, and overhaul by imparting the most up-to-date information

and abilities in the servicing of all types of aircraft in order to

maintain a high level of dependability and safety. 

The Philippines is on the verge of going mainstream on the

adoption of 3D printing. 3D printing as defined by Ultimaker, one of

the leading manufacturers of 3D printers, is “an innovative

technology that lets you create a physical object from a digital

model .” The term is also synonymous with Additive Manufacturing

(AM), because unlike traditional manufacturing (subtractive

manufacturing), 3D printing does not remove any material, on the

other hand it builds the object by adding new material layer after

layer . 3D printing has evolved from the first discovery of photo-

hardening thermoset polymers by Dr. Hideo Kodama of the Nagoya

Municipal Industrial Research Institute in 1981. The process of rapid

prototyping continued to be developed in France by Olivier de Witte

and Alain le Mehaute who were working for Alcatel and Alcatel’s

subsidiary respectively. They brought their idea to JeanClaude Andre

who was employed at the French National Center for Scientific

Research (CNRS). The three filed together for a patent but was

unable to secure one due to limited finances (Culaba and Co, 2019). 
 In light of the aforementioned circumstances, the researchers

are inspired to perform a study on incorporating 3D printing into the

PATTS College of Aeronautics' BS AMT

program.This study will aim to enlighten the importance of 3D

printing as an additional subject in BS AMT.

1.2 Statement of the Problem 

The main objective of this study is to implement 3D

Printing: A proposal curriculum for the BS AMT course of

PATTS College of Aeronautics. Specifically, it sought to

answer the following: 

1. What is the demographic profile of the

respondents in terms of: 1.1 Age 

1.2 Sex 

1.3 Year level 

1.4 Nationality 

2. What is the perceived level of knowledge of the respondents

in 3d printing in terms of the following? 

2.1 Tools and Equipment 

 2.2 Process and procedures 

2.3 Application 

3. What will be the significance of 3D printing to BS AMT

course?

4. What is the significance relationship between 3D printing

and BS AMT course?

Research Hypothesis 

The following hypothesis will be tested in null form and level of significance: 

1. There is no significant difference between the level of knowledge

of the respondents in 3d printing and the level of an outline of the

subjects as perceived by the respondents. 

2. There is no significant relationship between the level of

knowledge of the respondents in 3d printing across profile

variables.

Conceptual Framework 

This study proposes on the implementation of 3D Printing in the BS AMT 

curriculum of PATTS College of Aeronautics, in this study, the

included variables are the profile of respondents which includes age,

gender, year and Nationality. It also 

determines the perceived level of knowledge of the respondents in

3D printing. Likewise, the level of an outline of the subjects is

measured in terms of their study, teaching and 

lesson plan. 

This study is abstracted after reviewing the literature and studies, the researcher 

conceptualized a paradigm patterned after the Input- Process-Output model to

illustrate 

the relationship of the variables and the research process of the study. The paradigm
is 

presented below.
 CHAPTER 2 

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES 

2.1. Foreign Literature 

Digital fabrication technology, also referred to as 3D printing

or additive manufacturing, creates physical objects from a

geometrical representation by successive addition of materials. 3D

printing technology is a fast-emerging technology. Nowadays, 3D

Printing is widely used in the world. 3D printing technology is

increasingly used for the mass customization, production of any types

of open source designs in the field of agriculture, in healthcare,

automotive industry, locomotive industry and aviation industries. 3D

printing technology can print an object layer by layer deposition of

material directly from a computer aided design (CAD) model

(Shahbudin and Ramlan, 2019). 

Shahrubudin and Ramlan (2019) added that consumers have greater

input in the final product and can request to have it produced to fit

their specifications. At the same time, the facilities of 3D printing

technology will be located closer to the consumer, allowing for a

more flexible and responsive manufacturing process, as well as

greater quality control. Furthermore, when using 3D printing

technology, the need for global transportation is significantly

decreased. This is because, when manufacturing sites are located

nearer to the end destination, all distribution could be done with fleet

tracking technology that saves energy and time. Lastly, the adoption

of 3D printing technology can change the logistics of the company.

The logistics of the

companies can manage the entire process, offer more comprehensive

and start-to -finish service. 

The additive manufacturing and 3-dimensional manufacturing

technology offer unparalleled flexibility in terms of part geometry,

material composition and manufacturing time. There are many

difficulties in manufacturing parts in the aerospace field. Thin-walled

aircraft engine components and structures with complex geometry,

the difficulties encountered in the processing of materials, are the

other main factors that compel the aviation industry to adopt the use

of layered manufacturing technology. It is progressing in the

direction of radically changing the aerospace sector in the production

of extremely complex and lightweight parts with material wastes that

are almost none. The aerospace engine industry requires stronger,

lighter and more durable components. Today's additive

manufacturing technology provides new possibilities to meet these

situations (Kalender, 2020). 

Kalender (2020) further added that today's 3D printer

technology covers many different technologies. These technologies

include laser sintering, fused deposition (FDM), polymer curing.

Although it is widely used and has different designs, the most

commonly used technology is the devices that use the fused

deposition modeling technique. In this technique, the object having a

3D model in the computer is stacked in 2- dimensional layers and a

3-dimensional product is obtained. In order to realize this process, it

is necessary to have 3 axis CNC technology used in the

manufacturing sector. It is a software and material stacking tool to

communicate with control cards and CNC.

FDM starts with a software process, the software mathematically

separates the. STL format models into layers and sends them to a 3-

axis CNC controlled device to build them one on top of the other.

Usually thermoplastic materials are used. 

2.2. Local Literature 

The world of 3D printing has changed throughout the years.

What was once shown in films and video clips of science fiction as an

impossible feature has been realized in the 20th Century. With a 3D

printer, one can now push on a button and an item is created. Just a

design and a concept and you can print anything and any object you

prefer. It is now possible to 3D print a physical, three dimensional

object. It may currently have its limitations on what it may print, but

as technology evolves so too will 3D printing. It all starts with the

virtual design of what you want to print. To create the virtual design

one can either 3D scan an existing object, use a 3D modeling

platform or software. These virtual designs are called Computer

Aided Design (CAD) file. A 3D printer needs to process a Computer

Aided Design (CAD) file before it can print. It can be viewed as the

blueprints for the item because it uses the variables and components

of the Computer Aided Design (CAD) file to fully layer out the item.

This invention brings limitless amounts of possibilities to humanity as

a whole.. According to Rick Smith (2015),”Industrial 3D printing has

reached its tipping point, and is about to go mainstream in a way that

will revolutionize the economy.” He emphasized the idea that with

the development of 3D printing it is not far off before 3D printing

will be adopted as

a regular and normal business tactic or strategy to lessen costs and

hasten production of items (Reyes and Ngo, 2017). 

Reyes and Ngo (2017) emphasized that 3D printing is an

obvious fact that it is very beneficial to us. However, while it brings

advantages to the table, it also has its disadvantages. In the legal

aspect and legal perspective, 3D printing brings a lot of variables and

elements not currently addressed in our laws. Take for instance in

Intellectual Property, the owner of a 3D printer may simply 3D scan

or 3D model a patented item, print it out, and sell the patented item

without the patent owner even knowing. To sue or enforce

infringement the patent owner has to find the one who printed his

patent. It would be almost impossible for a patent owner to find the

one who infringe on his patent rights every time a person prints it. 

The Philippines is on the verge of going mainstream on the

adoption of 3D printing. 3D printing as defined by Ultimaker, one of

the leading manufacturers of 3D printers, is “an innovative

technology that lets you create a physical object from a digital

model .” The term is also synonymous with Additive Manufacturing

(AM), because unlike traditional manufacturing (subtractive

manufacturing), 3D printing does not remove any material, on the

other hand it builds the object by adding new material layer after

layer . 3D printing has evolved from the first discovery of photo-

hardening thermoset polymers by Dr. Hideo Kodama of the Nagoya

Municipal Industrial Research Institute in 1981. The process of rapid

prototyping continued to be developed in France by Olivier de Witte

and Alain le Mehaute who were working for Alcatel and Alcatel’s

subsidiary respectively. They brought their idea to JeanClaude Andre

who was employed at the French National Center for Scientific

Research (CNRS). The three filed together for a patent but was

unable to secure one due to limited finances (Culaba and Co, 2019). 

2.3. Foreign Study 

Kalender et.al. (2020) conducted a study on Product

Development by Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printer Technology

in Aerospace Industry.In this study, research and development

activities carried out in the field of layered manufacturing in the

aviation industry have been examined and a literature review has

been conducted. In the experimental study, a scaled 3D prototype of

an exemplary rocket equipment was produced using 3D printer

technology. The manufacturing parameters of the study have been

examined 

Wang et.al. (2018) conducted a research entitled “Advanced

3D printing technologies for the aircraft industry: a fuzzy systematic

approach for assessing the critical factors”. This paper investigated

these concerns by reviewing the current 3D printing practices in the

aircraft industry. The literature review identified five factors critical

to the applicability of advanced 3D printing technologies to the

aircraft industry, and a fuzzy systematic approach was applied to

assess the applicability and relative importance of the identified

factors, combining fuzzy geometric mean and fuzzy analytical

hierarchy process. The findings provide valuable input for countries

or regions considering expanding 3D printing applications to their

aircraft industries.

Further study was undertaken by Manda et.al. (2018) entitled

“3D Printing and its Effect on Outsourcing: A Study of the Indian

Aircraft Industry”. Research further suggests that outsourcing

configuration is looking to invest in the new methods and "timely

production" would become an assurance with 3D printing. A Review

of Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace Application was undertaken

by pant et. al (2020). This paper addressed the progress of AM in the

aerospace field and addressed the issues of AM linked to a specific

aerospace component. 
 2.4. Local Study 

Culaba and Co (2019) conducted a study entitled “3D

Printing: Challenges and Opportunities of an Emerging Disruptive

Technology.” Among these disruptive technological advancements is

3D printing. At present, the local 3D printing industry is limited due

to the barriers of adoption such as: (1) high cost, (2) limited build

size, (3) lack of skilled workforce, (4) lack of regulations, and (5)

potential security risks. Nevertheless, 3D printing technology offers

many advantages particularly: (1) freedom of design leading to mass

customization, (2) speed and adaptability, and (3) sustainability

which are key drivers for the adoption of the technology. It is

therefore imperative that the Philippines capitalize on these

opportunities and address the deficiencies in order to harness the full

potential of 3D printing.
 Chapter 3

Methodology

This section contains the research methods that will be used in the study,

sources of data, sampling technique, data gathering instrument and procedure of the

study.

3.1 Research Methods

Since the study intended to determine 3D Printing: A proposed subject for BS

AMT Course of PATTS College of Aeronautics, the descriptive-correlation is the most

appropriate method to use. Descriptive-correlation method as stated by Bermudo

(2019) provides the most effective tool for determining the condition of relationship that

exist, it is used to identify something that is happening.

The study employed the said method using survey technique. According to

Mabalay (2018), this method is used to secure evidences concerning the present status,

situations and conditions of things and events. It will determine and describe the way

things and is suited to most correlation studies.

1.2 Sampling Technique

The respondents of the study will be the 50 students of PATTS.

There are no sampling techniques used since the total enumeration was utilized

in determining the number of the respondents.

 Total enumeration is utilized in the study.

3.3 Procedure of the Study

The questionnaire is considered as the most appropriate data-gathering

instrument for descriptive research study. The prepared questionnaires will be

presented to the adviser for comments and revision. After the approval, the researcher

will seek permission from the school for the distribution of these questionnaires. The

questionnaire will be distributed through group chats (gc) of the said respondents since

it is still pandemic and will briefly explain the details to avoid errors. The questionnaires

will be completed voluntarily and confidentially and will return to the surveyor. Each

questionnaire will be collected, organized and presented, analyzed and interpreted.

Respondents will assure of their privacy and confidentially of information about their

identities, both personal and school-related.

3.4 Data Analysis Tools

The following statistical treatment will be used in consolidating and determining

the interpretations based on the respondents responses.

Each of the responses will weight using Likert’s 5 point scale. This is a system of

qualitative ranking basis for the interpretation of results. The respondents rated them

using the following numerical ratings and descriptions:

4.20-5.00 Advanced Proficiency

3.10-4.20 Proficient
2.61-3.40 Approaching Proficiency

1.81-2.60 Developing

1.00-1.80 Beginning

To determine the impact of mathematical modeling on pupils problem solving

skills and mathematical anxiety. The weighted mean is used as follows

SCALE VERBAL INTERPRETATION

4.20-5.00 OUTSTANDING

3.40-4.19 VERY GOOD

2.60-3.39 GOOD

1.80-2.59 FAIR

1.00-1.79 POOR
 CHAPTER 4

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of the data gathered in the study. The
analysis and interpretation were presented in the order the problems were presented in chapter 1 of
the document.

1. Respondent’s Profile

PROFILE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

GENDER MALE 28 55
FEMALE 22 45
AGE 18 - BELOW 2 4
19-25 2 4
26-32 44 88
33 AND ABOVE 2 4

In respondents profile most of them are male with frequency of 28 and a percentage of 55 while
22 of the respondents are female and a percentage of 45. As per age in the variable most of the are 26
to 32 years old corresponding to 88 and the rest are 4 percent total of 12 percent.
 TABLE 2

APPLICATION WM VERBAL
INTERPRETATION

1. Stereo-lithograph 3.12 PROFICIENT

2. Fused deposition modeling 4.20 PROFICIENT
3. Ballistic particle manufacturing 2.60 DEVELOPING
4. Multi jet modeling 2.58 DEVELOPING
5. Shape deposition manufacturing 3.10 PROFICIENT
6. Selective laser sintering  2.61 APPROACHING
PROFICIENT
7. Laser engineered net shaping 2.60 DEVELOPING
8. Laminated object manufacturing 2.58 DEVELOPING
9. Selective area laser deposition 1.80 BEGINNING
10. Shape maker 1.78 BEGINNING

In the table presented above SHAPE MAKER gathered the lowest mean of 1.78 with a verbal
interpretation of beginning while on the other hand FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING gathered the
highest mean of 4.20 with a verbal interpretation of Proficient was gathered.

TABLE 3

INDICATORS PEARSON R VALUE P-VALUE INTERPRETATION

3D printing and BS 0.05 0.500 SIGNIFICANT
AMT course

SIGNIFICANCE @0.05

As to 3d printing skills the p value of 0.500 was obtained which was the significance level of
0.05, therefore there is a significant relationship between the respondents 3d printing skills, while on
the other hand as to AMT Course a significant value of 0.05 was obtained, thus the study means that
there is a significant relationship between the respondents skills and the AMT Course.
 Chapter 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Summary of Findings

In respondents profile most of them are male with frequency of 28 and a percentage of 55 while 22 of
the respondents are female and a percentage of 45. As per age in the variable most of the are 26 to 32
years old corresponding to 88 and the rest are 4 percent total of 12 percent. In the table presented
above SHAPE MAKER gathered the lowest mean of 1.78 with a verbal interpretation of beginning while
on the other hand FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING gathered the highest mean of 4.20 with a verbal
interpretation of Proficient was gathered. As to 3d printing skills the p value of 0.500 was obtained
which was the significance level of 0.05, therefore there is a significant relationship between the
respondents 3d printing skills, while on the other hand as to AMT Course a significant value of 0.05 was
obtained, thus the study means that there is a significant relationship between the respondents skills
and the AMT Course.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of the study, the researcher come up with the following

conclusions:

1. Most of the respondents in the study are male, 26 to 32 years old

were the average age of the respondents.

2. The respondents were fully aware of the fused deposition modeling.

 3. There was a significant relationship obtained between the AMT

course and the 3D printing.

Recommendations

Based on the drawn conclusions, the following recommendations are offered:

1. The school should conduct 3D printing extra curricular activities for the students. These

extra-curricular activities will release the shades that hindering the students to improve their

3D printing skills. 3D printing Clinic should be a lifetime facilities, wherein the students can

continually enhance and develop their skills.

2. The school should address these factors that may enhance the students. These factors are

not to demolished, instead it should be enhance or develop and maximize its use for 3D

printing skills development particularly on students skills.

3. A new research is highly recommended in order to create an action plan that will enhance

the skills of the students especially this time where students are having difficulties in

equipping themselves. The new research should cross the limits of this study in order to get

broader information.