OHB System AG and the Fraunhofer Analysis Establishment for Additive Manufacturing Applied sciences (IAPT) have developed a standardized additive manufacturing course of chain for house elements. The undertaking, commissioned by the European House Company, targeted on establishing design and manufacturing tips for producing spacecraft elements utilizing powder mattress fusion laser beam metallic (PBF-LB/M) know-how. The companions validated their strategy by optimizing three satellite tv for pc elements by way of this manufacturing route.
The implementation of additive manufacturing in house functions faces distinctive challenges associated to industry-specific high quality and security requirements. To deal with these necessities, the undertaking workforce created complete design, manufacturing, and validation guidelines particularly tailor-made to house {industry} wants. Their work included data transfers, materials investigations, and provider benchmarks to make sure compliance with vital requirements.
The method was examined on three more and more complicated spacecraft elements: a connector ingredient with managed stiffness properties, a response wheel bracket with embedded click on nuts, and an built-in twin mirror. In accordance with the outcomes, the additively manufactured elements achieved weight reductions of as much as 45 p.c. The dual mirror, essentially the most complicated element, demonstrated decrease thermal deformation and improved optical properties on account of optimized mounting factors.
Dr. Marco Mulser, Head of Expertise Coordination at OHB System AG, said, “With the assistance of Fraunhofer IAPT, OHB was in a position to set up a dependable course of chain that now permits us to make use of high-quality AM elements for our satellite tv for pc tasks.” The collaboration has established design and verification competencies together with a dependable provide chain for titanium and aluminum elements.
The additive manufacturing course of provides a number of benefits for satellite tv for pc functions past weight discount. These advantages embrace practical integration, decreased meeting effort, and shorter growth occasions. The undertaking demonstrates how PBF-LB/M know-how may be successfully carried out in industries with strict high quality and security necessities.
Further details about the “Additive Manufacturing Maturation” undertaking (GSTP 4000125275/18/NL/AR/zk) is out there on the Fraunhofer IAPT web site, together with a freely accessible white paper detailing the undertaking strategy and elements.
Supply: idw-online.de
