3D Systems announced the company has been selected by Airbus Defence and Space to produce critical components for its industry-first satellite innovation, OneSat. 3D Systems’ Application Innovation Group (AIG) has designed an end-to-end additive manufacturing solution – comprising materials, 3D printing technology, software, and applications expertise – to produce the components required for the large antenna array on these satellites. Additively manufacturing these components offers design freedom to enable weight reduction, part performance optimization, and faster time to market which aids in more rapid deployment of these unique satellites to meet end-users’ needs. 3D Systems was selected for this important project based on the part quality achievable with its DMP systems as well as its demonstrated expertise and performance working with Airbus Defence and Space over the past seven years. Previous collaborations include production of the first 3D printed radio frequency (RF) filter tested and validated for use in commercial telecommunications satellites and the production of innovative switch assembly network designs for two Eurostar Neo spacecraft as part of the first large-scale deployment of RF products using direct metal printing.
每个卫星都需要两个大型天线阵列，一个要传输信号，一个要接收。3D Systems的DMP工厂500解决方案将使用激光ALSI10MG和AIG开发的本应用程序为实现所需的30µm层厚度而开发的特定参数来串联触角组件。根据其构建量（500mm x 500mm x 500mm），准确性和快速打印速度选择了DMP工厂500。该打印机的智能多激光配置使得无缝的大零件的生产可产生最高的表面质量，并具有出色的材料特性。该打印机包括一个独特的真空室，可在制造室中提供最低的氧气（O2）含量，以保护化学成分并减少制造过程中金属粉合金的水分含量。这确保了一致的零件质量（例如，机械性能和表面同质性）的最佳操作条件，这对于具有如此高质量和精确性要求的行业是必不可少的。DMP Factory 500还包括3DXPERT®，它支持从设计到后处理的增材制造工作流程的每个步骤，再到快速有效地从3D模型过渡到成功打印的零件。
In addition to providing design and production expertise, 3D Systems’ Application Innovation Group is also acting in the capacity of project manager. The company has identified subcontractors that are conducting post-processing and quality inspection, thus delivering a comprehensive end-to-end solution designed to help Airbus Defence and Space mitigate risk and reduce time to market. The AIG is also leading the technology transfer process, whereby they will enable another tier 1 supplier to quickly ramp production of these fully-qualified components. The supplier is also purchasing another DMP Factory 500 to complement its existing fleet and allow it to meet the quality levels required by Airbus.
“We value our long-standing partnership with Airbus Defence and Space, and are pleased with how our collective work continues to make its mark in telecommunications satellites,” said Dr, Michael Shepard, vice president, aerospace & defense segment, 3D Systems. “As with our earliest work with Airbus on the first additively manufactured RF filter, we have the opportunity to bring another ‘first’ to the industry that is changing telecommunications. Our AIG has laid the groundwork for developing the application for this component and completing the technology transfer. We’re proud that 3D Systems’ technology can help lay the foundation for Airbus to build a strong supply chain for serial production of passive RF hardware.”
“ Oneat是一种真正的破坏性产品，我们希望我们的设计和制造过程能够拥有相同水平的创新，” AirBus Defense and Space的Onesat Antenna计划经理Stephen Phipps说。“我们公司与3D系统建立了牢固的合作伙伴关系，并依靠其应用程序工程师团队来帮助我们将最先进的设计栩栩如生。从使用其打印机生产的零件到零件资格，质量管理和整体项目管理的各种零件的质量都帮助空中客车防御和空间保持其作为行业领导者的地位。”
3D Systems
www.3dsystems.com
Filed Under:Make Parts Fast
