ESA signs contracts with Siemens and Sonaca to develop designs for additive manufacturing applications

3D printingThe launch system that powers the future must be reusable. And we can already see clearly,3D printingThe next generation of low-cost and reusable rocket engines has set off a new round of NASA and ESA competitions.

Siemens end-to-end solutions.Source: Siemens

let3D printingBecome less challenging

Recently, ESA-European Space Agency invited Siemens and aerospace structural experts Sonaca to participate in the Design4AM project, dedicated to accelerating the design and production of highly optimized aerospace structural parts through comprehensive additive manufacturing software.Within the framework of the Design4AM project, the Siemens digital innovation platform will be strengthened to realize the industrialization of additive manufacturing in the aerospace industry. Based on Siemens’ NX™ software and Simcenter™ software, Siemens and Sonaca will work together to enhance Siemens’ end-to-end additive manufacturing solutions through Sonaca’s aerospace structural design and manufacturing expertise.

The Design4AM project can produce proven applications for the design and production of lightweight space components optimized for performance and cost. These applications will utilize Siemens’ end-to-end software solutions for industrial additive manufacturing that combine A complete set of software tools such as generative design, automatic topology optimization, simulation analysis, process simulation, construction preparation and production execution.

The Design4AM project lasts for two years and is based on the strong cooperation between Siemens and Sonaca, and has received financial support from ESA and the Belgian Federal Office for Science Policy (Belspo).pass through3D printing-Additive manufacturing technology can be used to realize complex structures of launchers, thrusters, satellites and various spacecraft components. The Design4AM project will be able to help ESA-European Space Agency use additive manufacturing technology to achieve high-performance structures that can withstand extreme mechanical performance requirements during space satellite launches.

Digitization and3D printingUnleash the potential of the fourth industrial revolution.Source: Siemens

Review

On the one hand, ESA’s intensive layout, on the other hand, NASA invested 7 million U.S. dollars in early July 2019 to commission Carnegie Mellon University to study the manufacturing technology of next-generation aircraft. Partners include Argonne National Laboratory, ANSYS, Lockheed Martin, TRUMPF, GE, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman, Siemens, etc.The project is dedicated to adopting3D printingTo reduce costs and greatly increase the manufacturing capabilities of the United States in the aerospace industry.

Although ESA is3D printingIn terms of the degree of application, it is somewhat forced by NASA. However, ESA’s long-sleeved dance, mobilization of resources, and the ability to make a comprehensive layout should not be underestimated.Not only does it work with Siemens for end-to-end solutions, but in terms of materials, the European Space Agency (ESA) is working with ICT Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories to develop promising materials. Researchers study the microstructure of foreign materials or the welding methods of materials, and explore the combination of various manufacturing processes.

In addition, in 2015, the European Space Agency and the University of Birmingham developed a complete set of additive technology solutions. One of the technologies includes designing a nozzle for a laser deposition device and integrating multiple wire feeding systems in the additive manufacturing process. This technology improves the ability of metal wire printing and has advantages compared with metal powder printing systems. Using metal wire as the printing material, metal printing equipment will have the ability to manufacture a variety of different alloy samples, increase the utilization of materials in the printing process, and also avoid pollution, equipment maintenance, and safety problems caused by powder overflow.In addition to the emphasis and layout of software, materials and printing processes, ESA also attaches great importance to the construction of hardware facilities. In 2016, ESA established a new advanced manufacturing laboratory in Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK.3D printingThe possibility of using advanced manufacturing technologies for space exploration.

ESA Harwell’s laboratory is equipped with advanced metals3D printingMachine, powerful microscope kit, X-ray CT machine, and a series of heat treatment furnaces. Researchers here can easily perform advanced mechanical tests, including tensile and microhardness tests. Researchers can use the laboratories and Harwell campus facilities, such as semiconductor clean rooms, cryogenic laboratories, the central British laser facility, ISIS neutron source, and diamond light sources.

In 2017, ESA cooperated with the British Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to establish a “one-stop” space-related application additive manufacturing center-ESA Additive Manufacturing Center (AMBC), the new center is managed by MTC, making ESA and other Space exploration companies are able to explore certain projects3D printingpotential.

ESA is NASA’s biggest competitor. And through cooperation with companies, universities, and scientific research institutions, ESA has a series of advantages from common basic research to product development, and then to cutting-edge technology exploration.It also enables ESA to quickly accumulate its own3D printingknow how, and acquire the manufacturing capabilities of the next generation of spacecraft.

(Editor in charge: admin)