China3D printingNet January 7th,3D printingThe OEM and service agency 3DCeram has assisted the Anywaves derived from the French Space Agency (CNES) in the design of small satellites3D printingCeramic antenna.
In the past 18 months, Anywaves has cooperated with 3D-AIM consulting service company of 3DCeram to develop GNSS L1/E1 band antennas through three steps including feasibility analysis, design to manufacturing discussion and risk analysis. 3D-AIM is committed to helping aerospace companies to manufacture ceramics from scratch to part production, manage the design and production stages, and then transfer the technology to the end user.
Now that the new satellite antenna is ready for mass production, Anywaves is currently deciding whether to use 3DCeram’s additive manufacturing services or introduce this technology in-house.
The GNSS L1/E1 band antennas are printed by 3DCeram for Anywaves. Picture from Anywaves.
Design antenna
The two companies first conducted a risk analysis and determined the technical and economic requirements of the antenna. In addition to evaluating the possibility of failure during printing, cleaning, degreasing and sintering, Anywave also hopes to create an antenna. 3DCeram conducted CAD analysis on the shapes and shapes of several different parts, and carried out a variety of designs based on a series of simple and complex lattice structures.
The next stage of the 3D-AIM program will modify the CAD file design based on the customer’s input in order to integrate the risk analysis results with mechanical tolerance constraints and material quality control and other factors. Then came the CAD design suggestion of the part, which discussed the direction of the part, the tolerance of the part and so on. The design must also be optimized and corrected for the SLA printing process used by Anywaves.
From the design to the manufacturing stage, it also involves the printing accuracy of the configuration antenna, as well as the printing time, cost and surface finish.Then carry out the printing and emission test of the antenna to increase3D printingThe design maturity of the process.
For the lattice structure, 3DCeram has manufactured several types of designs, from the simplest design (left) to the most complex design (right). Picture from 3DCeram.
Enter mass production
The final result of the 3D-AIM process is to design a stylish and compact antenna for small satellites with excellent RF performance and radiation characteristics. According to 3DCeram, due to the material selection of the printing process and the solderless feeding system, the part can withstand harsh environments without thermal protection.
Now that the antenna has been developed and is ready to be put into mass production, Anywaves is deciding on the best method, or through 3DCeram’s adaptable3D printingService outsourcing production, or investing in printers through 3DCeram to make internal parts production possible.
The Proba-3 satellite formed a lunar eclipse. The picture comes from ESA.
3D printingSatellite components
In order to provide new ways to design and manufacture components for satellites and other aerospace applications, more and more3D printing.
In 2015, the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a large-scale contract with the Lausanne startup SWISSto12 to use the company’s satellites in its satellites.3D printingAntenna, it turns out that the antenna is lighter and cheaper than traditional metal antennas.Recently, ESA asked SENER Aerospacial and Advanced Aviation Technology Center (CATEC) to develop its PROBA-3 space mission3D printingMetal antenna.
Elsewhere, the German machine tool manufacturer TRUMPF demonstrated at the 2019 International Paris Air Show3D printingPotential applications on satellites and airplanes, and the French-Italian aerospace manufacturer Thales Alenia Space announced that it has begun to use it in the mass production of its satellites3D printing. in the same year.
Another recent project undertaken by the Canadian Manufacturing Services Agency Burloak Technologies and the communications company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA)3D printingThe satellite component development cooperation will allow the two companies to use additive manufacturing to optimize the design and manufacturability of a range of antenna technologies. In the next five years.
RUMPF 3D installed a mounting structure for the microwave filter in the Heinrich Hertz communication satellite in Germany, which reduced the weight by 55%. Filmed by OHB System AG / TRUMPF.
China3D printingNet original article!
(Editor in charge: admin)
0 Comments for “3DCeram develops 3D printed ceramic antennas for small satellites”