First case: Qiancheng No. 1 01 Star
Launched by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Qiancheng-1 01 spacecraft marks a benchmark. First satellite in the world to apply such technology, the satellite uses a whole star construction based on 3D printed dot matrix materials. Using integrated aluminium alloy additive manufacturing technology, Qiancheng-1 01 star is built with a minimum feature of only 0.5mm and over 1 million lattice structure features across the star. This method not only drastically lowers the weight of satellite buildings, therefore changing the weight ratio from the conventional 20% to less than 15%, but also cuts the component count and shortens the design and preparation cycle.
The effective launch and steady operation of Qiancheng-1 01 satellite denotes that the maturity of 3D printed three-dimensional lattice structure technology for spacecraft main load-bearing structures has reached level nine, so indicating that the actual system has effectively fulfilled its mission. This method not only improves the structural strength of satellites but also shows the technological benefits of metal 3D printing in big-scale, refined, and specific structural formation.
Second case: liquid carrier rocket "Zhuque-2"
Blue Arrow Aerospace separately developed the "Zhuque-2" liquid carrier rocket using the "Tianque" 10 tonne liquid oxygen methane engine (TQ-11), the sole multi-nozzle liquid oxygen methane rocket engine in use in China. Key parts of the engine, like the combustion chamber and gas generator body, have complicated internal structures and tight demands for external shape and flow channel accuracy. While metal 3D printing technology may achieve integrated forming of complicated structures, dramatically lowering engine assembly cycles and improving engine maintenance, traditional forging and welding techniques cannot satisfy these technological criteria.
Blue Arrow Aerospace has effectively produced important parts including the combustion chamber and gas generator body using metal 3D printing technology with a minimum feature size accuracy of 0.05mm. This raises the rocket engine's structural strength as well as its dependability and performance. The whole implementation of metal 3D printing technology in the production of the "Zhuque-2" rocket engine completely illustrates its special benefits in complex structure building.
Third case: new generation manned spaceships test ship
Apart from completing the first 3D printing space experiment, the new generation manned spaceship test ship carried the first CubeStar deployment mechanism based on metal 3D printing technologies. Starspace (Beijing) Technology Co., LTD of China Commercial Aerospace Corporation develops the deployment device and produces it utilising Platinum Metal 3D printing technique. The weight of metal 3D printing deployment devices is only half of conventional mechanical processing goods, and the processing cycle has been shortened from many months to one week, thereby greatly reducing the design weight and boosting structural strength.
This flight completely confirmed the structural strength, material properties, and space environment adaptability of the CubeSat 3D printed new deployment device, so supplying data and technical reserves for the large-scale application of "3D printing+aerospace" and the future in orbit release and mobile deployment of micro and nano satellites on space stations. Apart from fulfilling the launch and deployment criteria of the worldwide standard 3U cube satellite, this deployer has the capacity to launch hundreds of satellites with one rocket, therefore generating fresh opportunities for the manufacturing and deployment of spacecraft components.
Benefits of 3D printing metal
The principal reflections of the benefits of metal 3D printing technology in spaceship component production are found in the following:
Metal 3D printing technology can maximise printing structures, lower material waste, enable lightweight design, and raise aircraft performance and efficiency.
Metal 3D printing technology can immediately translate CAD models into physical models, therefore accomplishing one-to--one precise replication for tough to build complicated structures using conventional manufacturing techniques.
Cycle shortening and cost-cutting: By essentially avoiding material and time loss in the process of "equal material manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing", metal 3D printing technology provides goods in the form of "differentiation and integration", hence enhancing production efficiency.
strong dependability and performance: High-performance and very precise components made possible by metal 3D printing will improve spacecraft structural strength and dependability.
https://www.china-3dprinting.com/metal-3d-printing/intake-manifolds-of-metal-additive.html