Browse by Editorial Category
Browse by Edition Date

April 2019

Skip Navigation Links.
Expand AeroDef Product PreviewAeroDef Product Preview
Expand Applying TechnologyApplying Technology
Collapse Current NewsCurrent News
Protective Guarding Solutions at ProMat
Sale of Absolute Machine Tools to ESOP
AeroDef Manufacturing 2019 April 29 - May2
630-Ton Servo Press Installed at Omex Manufacturing
American Posts Enhances Manufacturing Capabilities
Partnership to Distribute API Trackers Service to West Coast
API Rebrands to Focus on Smart Factory Metrology
Integrated Servo Motors Servo Drives and Stepper Drives
Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Announces Selection of Technology Projects
ATI to Host an Automation Expo at Its Newly Expanded Headquarters
AXYZ International Rebrands to AXYZ Automation Group
Robots Driven by Balyo
BASSETTI GROUP Announces Subsidiary
Blickle Opens New Facility in Georgia
Cal State LA Receives Grant for Innovation and Design Center
Naval Group and Centrale Nantes Print First Hollow Propeller Blade
Cheto Corporation Debuts in North America
CNC Indexing andamp; Feeding Technologies Announces Sale of Company to ESOP
CNC SystemsFFG Held National Distributor Meeting
Coldwater Machine Honored as PAC Worldwide Supplier of The Year
Tennessee Industrial Specialties Takes Delivery of Dallas Industries Feed Line
DATRON Announces Partnership in the Autodesk Generative Design Field Lab
Die Technology Inc. Announces New Business Entity
DoALL Donates Band Saws to Workshop For Warriors
Epson Signs FPE Automation as Distributor in North Central Region of U.S.
Imaging Science and Additive Manufacturing Partnership
Fives Giddings andamp; Lewis Celebrates 160 Years
Prairie Announces Sale of Grace Manufacturing to Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Green Valley Manufacturing Adds Waterjet and Manufacturing Capabilities
Collaborative Worker Safety Solution Recognized as IoT Solution of the Year
Industrial Physics Acquires Candamp;W Specialist Equipment
KAAST Machine Tools Partners with PRIMINER USA
Kardex Remstar Displays Innovative Solutions at ProMat 2019
KGK International Grand Opening Event April 9-10
KM Industrial Open House April 25-26
KMC Globaland#39;s Controls and Automation Division Expands Market Reach
Dot Peen Marker
LIFT Installs Cutting Edge 5-Axis Machining Center
Manual Horizontal Boring Mill
Tulsa Industrial andamp; Tool Show April 17-18
Mastercam 2020 Released for Global Public Testing
Matsuura USA Open House April 23-24
Mazak to Host Midwest Advanced Manufacturing Technology Event
Robotic Singulator
Mno-Bmadsen Acquires Enmark Tool andamp; Gage
Autonomous Mobile Robots for Heavy Industrial Transport
Suite of Tools for Optimizing Robotic Toolpaths
Self-Driving Lift Truck
RIA and Pittsburgh Robotics Network Establish Partnership
Custom EBAM System to 3-D Print Large Metal Parts
Top Reasons for Cloud-based OEE Monitoring
Sigma Labs Wins Test and Evaluation Program Contract
New U.S. Patent Awarded to Sigma Labs
SigmaTEK Releases SigmaTUBE X1.1
Largest Single-Piece Rocket Engine 3-D Printed
Southern States Machinery to Host Manufacturing Industry Event Steel Tech
New Industry 4.0 Solutions at Automate 2019
Stellex Capital Management Acquires Paragon Metals
Enterprise Labeling Solution
Titletown Manufacturing Boosts Ability for Machining Small Parts
Tornos Technologies US Corporation Grand Opening Event May 1-2
TRAK Machine Tools Announces New Distributor for NorthernCentral TX Region
UNITED GRINDING Names Ellison Technologies as New Distributor
UPM Achieves Pratt andamp; Whitney LCS Approval in Greenville Service Center
New Solutions for Applications in Industries Facing Labor Shortages
Automated Warehouse Solutions at ProMat 2019
The Whittemore Co. Adds Lyndex-Nikken and NSK America to Portfolio
End Rider Pallet Truck Series
ZOLLER Joins OMIC Randamp;D
Expand Drilling-Tapping-ThreadingDrilling-Tapping-Threading
Expand Medical ManufacturingMedical Manufacturing
Expand Metalforming-Fabricating-WaterjetMetalforming-Fabricating-Waterjet
Expand People In The NewsPeople In The News
Expand Replacement PartsReplacement Parts

show all editions →

Click here to watch Tutorial Videos >

Largest Single-Piece Rocket Engine 3-D Printed



"Orbex recently introduced Prime, the world's largest metal rocket engine 3-D printed in a single piece," said an Orbex spokesperson. "The Orbex launcher not only uses 100% renewable fuel to cut carbon emissions by 90% and a zero-shock staging and payload separation resulting in zero orbital debris, but was also design-optimized for selective laser melting, helping to create a structure 30% lighter and 20% more efficient than any other launch vehicle in its category."

Orbex, a UK-based spaceflight company that develops small satellite launch vehicles, introduced Prime at the grand opening of its new headquarters in Forres, Scotland. Prime was 3-D printed on the SLM 800 large-format metal additive manufacturing (AM) system from SLM Solutions.

Orbex has received $40 million in public and private funding, from sources including the U.K. Space Agency and venture capital firms Sunstone Technology Ventures and High-Tech Gründerfonds, and has been able to attract top development talent with experience from leading space organizations including NASA, ESA and Ariane. Orbex aerospace engineers partnered closely with the applications engineering team at SLM Solutions headquarters in Lübeck, Germany, to ensure successful transfer of the design into selective laser melting production - a feat that required the partnership of the equipment provider due to the complexity and size of the component.

Lukas Pankiewicz, Applications Specialist, headed the consulting team inside SLM Solutions to develop a unique set of parameters optimized for this particular geometry. Working closely with the design team at Orbex, Pankiewicz consulted on the various design features and orientation options, while ensuring the part was built with the required material properties and dimensional accuracy. "Our aim during the process was to fulfill the quality expectations of the Orbex team, keep the functionality of the part and make it suitable for AM. Every single support structure used in data preparation has been customized to obtain the best quality in every section of the engine, taking post-processing into consideration as well."

The SLM 800 large-format metal AM system features a 260 mm x 500 mm powder bed that can build parts 800 mm tall, allowing the Prime engine to be built using a special nickel alloy in a single piece. The SLM HUB unpacking system for the SLM 800 integrates contactless powder handling and automated build chamber conveyors to transfer the finished part to an unpacking station designed to remove powder through vibration and rotation. Pankiewicz ensured a powder removal strategy was incorporated into the build with purpose driven delivery channels to be certain as much powder was removed from the build as possible while reducing material loss. After production, reference samples built together with the engine were analyzed in the SLM Solutions' metallography lab, where porosity level and distribution were proven to meet the quality acceptance criteria. "The rapid iteration times inherent to the SLM process allowed Orbex to realize both time and cost reductions - saving 90% in turnaround time compared to traditional CNC machining production," said the spokesperson.

"This has always been what SLM Solutions is about," said Dr. Axel Schulz, Chief Sales Officer of SLM Solutions. "Members of our team helped invent the selective laser melting technology. We have always wanted that technology to succeed - which is not just about selling SLM machines but creating that paradigm shift for the customer to be successful with their process. SLM Solutions consulted Orbex on how to make the technology best work for them and transferred that knowledge to ensure their successful implementation as they ramp up to production."

Jonas Bjarnoe, Chief Technology Officer of Orbex, said: "The SLM Solutions team showed true dedication and in-depth knowledge of our work. I am looking forward to continuing this collaboration in 2019 and onwards. Orbex and SLM Solutions have solved some important puzzle pieces which will change the space business."

For more information contact:

SLM Solutions NA, Inc.

48561 Alpha Drive, Suite 300

Wixom, MI 48393

248-243-5400

info@slm-solutions.us

www.slm-solutions.us

< back