Aimen Expertise Centre has accomplished the 3D printing of a cryogenic tank demonstrator for the OVERLEAF undertaking. The Spanish group manufactured a 1.5-meter-diameter interior tank designed to retailer liquid hydrogen (LH2) at extraordinarily low temperatures for future plane purposes. The undertaking is led by Aciturri, a Spanish aeronautics firm engaged on hydrogen storage options.
The tank design contains a dual-component system combining an additively manufactured thermoplastic interior vessel with an outer carbon fiber construction. The interior part maintains the liquid hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures, whereas the carbon fiber exterior offers structural integrity. Aimen utilized large-format additive manufacturing with excessive precision to create the interior tank.
“This can be a technological resolution that can mark a earlier than and after within the manufacturing of parts for sustainable aviation,” mentioned Pablo Romero, crew chief of the Additive Manufacturing of Composites R&D group at Aimen. The manufacturing course of required over 100 hours of steady printing in a specialised robotic cell developed by Aimen. Actual-time monitoring with thermal cameras ensured high quality management all through the prolonged construct.
The manufacturing cell integrated high-performance 3D printing techniques alongside infrared heating expertise to make sure correct adhesion between layers. This technical strategy was crucial to satisfy the demanding necessities for hydrogen storage techniques in aviation purposes. The tank represents a big step towards enabling hydrogen as an aviation gas supply.
Aimen collaborated with French analysis middle Canoe to develop a brand new sustainable materials for the undertaking. The bio-based thermoplastic bolstered with pure fibers permits for printing sturdy, light-weight buildings with diminished environmental affect. This materials growth aligns with the broader objectives of making extra sustainable aviation applied sciences.
Supply: compositesworld.com
