Additive Manufacturing for Aereospace Applications | Whitepapers
The two reports were produced within an initiative directly promoted by Alessio Fino a young representative of the YML Network with the contribution of the YML Steering Committee composed of Federica Acerbi, Assistant Professor, Politecnico di Milano, and Marta Pinzone, Assistant Professor, Politecnico di Milano.
Two teams were formed, working collaboratively and involving international experts to delve into how additive manufacturing can be used to produce objects in space in a sustainable manner.
Specifically, the two themes, which can be linked to the second panel of the Young Manufacturing Leaders Summit, on “green” tech, happening on Nov. 28, 2023 from 2:30 PM from SDF in Treviglio, Bergamo, Italy, are as follows:
- Additive manufacturing for the replacement of parts during orbit: This topic focuses on the application of additive manufacturing for replacing components during orbit. It explores the possibilities offered by this advanced technology to ensure maintenance and repair of space devices directly on-site, thus contributing to prolonging their operational life efficiently and sustainably.
The Whitepaper was written by Daniel Knüttel, Ph.D. Candidate, ETH Zürich and Manish Kumar, Ph.D. Candidate, Indian Institute of Science, with the contribution of Denis Dowling, Full Professor, University College Dublin, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Noel Harrison, Lecturer, University of Galway.
- In-Space Closed Loop Additive Manufacturing and Additive Manufacturing Using Recycled Materials: The second theme delves into the closed-loop of additive manufacturing in space and the use of recycled materials. Here, the focus is on the prospect of creating artifacts directly in space through 3D printing, using materials from previous missions or obsolete structures. This approach not only represents a step towards environmental sustainability in space but also opens new horizons for more efficient management of space resources.
The Whitepaper was written by Nisarg Doshi, Mechanical Engineering Student, Somaiya College of Engineering, Oisín Gavigan, Senior R&D Enigeer, Plasmabound and Evan Winterlich, Research Engineer, I-Form, with the contribution of Denis Dowling, Full Professor, University College Dublin, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Noel Harrison, Lecturer, University of Galway.
In conclusion, these two reports not only provide a significant contribution to the discourse on the potential of additive manufacturing in space but also serve as a foundation for future developments and applications of these cutting-edge technologies.
