World Industrial Reporter

Innovation Delivered Daily

  • Innovation
    • Innovation Article Archive
    • Innovative Companies
    • Innovation Strategies
    • New Equipment Innovations
  • New Products
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Markets
    • Market Trends
    • Tradeshow Reports
    • White Papers
  • Logistics
  • Newsletters
World Industrial Reporter » Additive Manufacturing » Metal Technology to 3D Print Rocket Engine Parts for NASA

Metal Technology to 3D Print Rocket Engine Parts for NASA

November 18, 2015

IMG_1730

Metal Technology (MTI), an Oregon based manufacturing company, will collaborate with NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) to 3D print next-gen rocket engine parts.

NASA is endeavoring to integrate 3D direct metal printing onto their design for quite some time. Several business units are working on projects in an effort to leverage best practices in digital and additive manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing has a very good business case for space flight developments. Metal Technology has embraced 3D printing and will produce the first-article test components for some of the customers they have served with regular manufacturing techniques for over three decades.

Multiple teams of propulsion engineers and scientists are integrating features or joining individual parts using additive manufacturing. The economic impact of adopting 3D printing on the total part count-reduction is massive.

Features like conformal channels for regenerative cooling can increase the performance of propulsion systems. Creation of geometry unconstrained by conventional manufacturing methods can reduce weight and improve the efficiency significantly.

MTI has already produced two components for NASA JSC. The materials can withstand extreme heat and corrosive environments without losing their brittleness or rigidity. “The Project provided amazing dialogue and collaboration between the NASA and MTI development teams and the results were excellent,” said Gary Cosmer, Chief Executive Officer for Metal Technology (MTI).

The resistance to high temperatures would be impossible without engineered cooling, an area where 3D printing shines. Engineers were able to build invisible channels – 60 micron layers at a time – to recirculate gases throughout the component.

MTI has already produced forgings for the Orion capsule, which will be the likely platform for NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS). The overall weight reduction and improved performance are significant milestones for NASA as it advances further in space technologies.

Image courtesy of MTI

Share on

Filed Under: Additive Manufacturing, Innovation

New RAM Platform Enables Construction of 3D Surfaces in Variable Orientations
3D Printers Help Opel Slash Assembly Tool Production Costs
Read Original Article
Avatar

About Doug Lee

Doug has over 30 years tracking and reporting on new products and services introduced by industrial companies from around the world.

Follow me
Suppliers

High-Performance Inductive Displacement Sensor System

The eddyNCDT 3060 inductive measurement system is based on eddy currents and enables fast, precise displacement measurements in industrial environments. Based on ease of use and smart signal processing, this non-contact system defines a new performance class in inductive displacement measurement.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

Hannover Messe with Beckhoff

Beckhoff awaits you at the digital version of the traditional exhibition from April 12 to 16 with innovations from product and technology development. Stay tuned for a comprehensive technology demonstration in digital format and get your exhibition ticket now.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

Flexible Coaxial Cable Assembly for Microwave Applications

This is a flexible coaxial cable assembly for microwave applications up to 145 GHz DC. Optionally, we can offer phase adjustment, which is to combine the delay time difference (skew) of multiple coaxial lines. It can be used to measure high-speed digital transmission devices such as differential transmission lines.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

Subscribe

Get the latest WIR reports straight to your inbox.

Free Newsletter Subscription

Find us on the social web.

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
FREE NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION

Get the latest WIR reports straight to your inbox.

  • Innovation Article Archive
  • Innovation Strategies
  • Innovative Companies
  • New Products
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Market Trends
  • Tradeshow Reports
  • White Papers
  • Logistics
  • Newsletters
  • Fun Stuff
  • Industry Links
Follow us

© 2021 Thomas Publishing Company. All rights reserved.