Aerospace
Orion AM is addressing the new challenges space exploration with its additive manufacturing technologies.
Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace
Aerospace-Grade Materials
Many new advanced, engineering grade materials are being developed for aerospace, among them are high-performance polymers. These are high strength, high temperature, chemical resistant thermoplastics durable enough for space missions. Many of these materials are already certified for flame, smoke and toxicity and also comply with other requirements for outgassing, UV exposure and thermal vacuum cycling. The ability to 3D print parts on-demand using these materials opens up a new world of potential applications.
Lightweight Materials
The use of PEEK, PPSU, PEI and PEKK polymers results in weight savings up to 50% compared to the use of metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. This helps to drastically reduce mass budget in space missions where every gram counts.
Lower Costs
Besides reducing the cost of end-use parts, 3D printing also helps to reduce inventory cost and total cost of ownership. With an in-house 3D printer, the only inventory required is filament stock, the rest is digital inventory.
Benefits of Orion AM
Materials Ready for Space Missions
Through additive manufacturing, we can address the challenges of weight reduction while simultaneously decreasing costs, minimizing pollution and increasing the flight efficiency. The use of advanced thermoplastics adds value and unique properties where their superior corrosion and fatigue resistance, tensile strength and durability can lead to outperform metal.
Manufacturing and Design Flexibility
3D printing allows for integration of features, resulting in a robust design with fewer parts. Complexity comes at no additional costs as no additional setup is required. Parts can be produced on demand and highly customized. Factories and manufacturers can be setup for bespoke production.
Higher Strength with Thermal Radiation Heating
Orion AM's Thermal Radiation Heating greatly increases the strength and mechanical properties of 3D printed parts, allowing the production of flight-ready end-use parts capable of withstanding high pressures and a wide range of physical and chemical phenomena.