3D Printing of Copper for Rockets and Aerospace Applications
The company Farsoon has presented the FS621M-Cu system, a 3D printer specialized in manufacturing large copper alloy components for aerospace applications. Based on its large-format platform, this machine integrates four 1000-watt ytterbium fiber lasers, capable of working with highly reflective materials like CuCrZr, overcoming the historical challenges of printing copper with conventional lasers. And no, you don't need to be an aerospace engineering expert to appreciate this innovation! 🚀
3D Printed Thrust Chambers with Integrated Cooling Channels
In collaboration with an aerospace manufacturer, Farsoon has produced thrust chambers for liquid rocket engines, parts that require complex cooling channels and high thermal resistance. Thanks to laser powder bed fusion, optimized monolithic structures are achieved, eliminating assembly steps and increasing reliability.
Thermal and Anti-Reflective Solutions for Printing Copper
To handle the complex properties of copper, the FS621M-Cu incorporates an anti-reflective coating in the printing chamber and an intelligent thermal management system. In August 2023, a thrust chamber with a diameter of 600 millimeters by 850 millimeters high was manufactured with a density close to the theoretical value and thermal conductivity superior to 345 watts per meter-kelvin. X-ray scans confirmed the internal precision of the cooling channels.
High-Level Thermal and Mechanical Properties
Tests demonstrated high thermal diffusivity (greater than or equal to 95 square millimeters per second) and a specific heat capacity superior to 0.35 joules per gram-kelvin. Tensile samples also showed excellent mechanical properties, consolidating the process reliability.
Faster, More Efficient, Cheaper
Thanks to this advancement, production times have been reduced to just 15 to 20 days, compared to the months required by the traditional method. Additionally, the system has achieved cost reductions of up to seventy-five percent and exceeded design specifications by more than fifty percent.
Farsoon thus demonstrates that large-scale 3D printing of copper is already a reality for the aerospace industry. So get ready to see more innovations in the field of 3D printing! 🌟
With this advancement, Farsoon is revolutionizing the production of aerospace components. And remember, if something doesn't go as expected, you can always blame the technology! 😉