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The following video presents Stratasys 3D Printing Takes Off with Atlas V Rocket!:
Making launch vehicles for NASA, the Air Force and commercial satellites, ULA knows 3D printing is a serious manufacturing tool. After acquiring two Fortus 900mc 3D Production Systems from Stratasys, ULA began the process of updating the Environmental Control System (ECS) duct on the Atlas V, which will launch with the new 3D component in 2016. The ECS duct is critical to the countdown sequence of a launch, delivering nitrogen to sensitive electronic components within the rocket booster.
The previous design for the ECS duct assembly contained 140 parts, but by modifying the design using FDM 3D Printing Technology, ULA consolidated the number of parts to only 16. This significantly reduced installation time while resulting in a 57 percent part-cost reduction.
ULA originally adopted 3D printing for tooling applications. Now, as you’ll see in this exciting video even the sky isn’t the limit for Stratasys additive manufacturing.
This is an update to the previous blog, Stratasys 3D Printers + Rocket Manufacturer United Launch Alliance: 3D Printing Flight-Ready Rocket Components.
- The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket was launched yesterday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
- The Atlas V rocket flew serial production 3D printed parts enabled by Stratasys support and technology.
- Additive manufacturing solutions allowed for design flexibility and unique material properties to optimize parts that can withstand the harsh launch environment.
- The 3D printed parts highlight the ability to replace metal components with 3D printed lightweight thermoplastic components.
- Numerous components were 3D printed for the Atlas V ducting system in the rocket’s payload fairing.
- The parts include brackets, nozzles, and panel close-outs and were 3D printed in ULTEM™ 9085 on a Fortus 900mc Production 3D Printer.
- It resulted in substantial cost and time benefits in comparison to traditional manufacturing methods. ULA saves $1m a year by 3D printing rocket components from plastic.
Stratasys will be exhibiting their additive manufacturing capabilities at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO, USA, on April 11-14, 2016 (Booth 1132).
PRESS RELEASE
ULA Atlas V Rocket Lifts off With 3D Printed Parts
March 23, 2016 02:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time
MINNEAPOLIS & REHOVOT, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSYS) supported a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, launched yesterday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Atlas V rocket flew serial production 3D printed parts enabled by Stratasys support and technology. The 3D printed parts highlight the ability to replace metal components with 3D printed lightweight thermoplastic components.
With the aerospace expertise of ULA and Stratasys’ additive manufacturing technology, numerous components were 3D printed for the Atlas V ducting system in the rocket’s payload fairing. The parts include brackets, nozzles, and panel close-outs and were 3D printed in ULTEM™ 9085 on a Fortus 900mc Production 3D Printer. ULA credits Stratasys with assisting them in engineering, production tooling and production parts.
For ULA, additive manufacturing solutions allowed for design flexibility and unique material properties to optimize parts that can withstand the harsh launch environment. It also resulted in substantial cost and time benefits in comparison to traditional manufacturing methods.
“Stratasys continues to be a great supplier to ULA, supporting our Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles. Our partnership has enabled Stratasys to bring parts such as tooling and support equipment into ULA’s factory in Decatur, Alabama to help us build rockets,” said Greg Arend, ULA manager, Additive Manufacturing.
“It’s been impressive to see how ULA has innovated with industrial 3D printing, and we are excited to continue working with them to push the technology further,” says Scott Sevcik, Director, Business Development – Aerospace & Defense at Stratasys.
See video to learn more about some of ULA’s 3D printed parts and how they were qualified for launch.
Read how ULA saves $1m a year by 3D printing rocket components from plastic (source IBT, April 17, 2015)
Stratasys will be exhibiting their additive manufacturing capabilities at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO, on April 11-14, 2016 (Booth 1132).
Follow Stratasys Aerospace on LinkedIn.
For more than 25 years, Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) has been a defining force and dominant player in 3D printing and additive manufacturing – shaping the way things are made. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rehovot, Israel, the company empowers customers across a broad range of vertical markets by enabling new paradigms for design and manufacturing. The company’s solutions provide customers with unmatched design freedom and manufacturing flexibility – reducing time-to-market and lowering development costs, while improving designs and communications. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape, and the Stratasys ecosystem includes 3D printers for prototyping and production; a wide range of 3D printing materials; parts on-demand via Stratasys Direct Manufacturing; strategic consulting and professional services; and the Thingiverse and GrabCAD communities with over 2 million 3D printable files for free designs. With more than 2,700 employees and 800 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents, Stratasys has received more than 30 technology and leadership awards. Visit us online at: www.stratasys.com or http://blog.stratasys.com/, and follow us on LinkedIn.
Stratasys and Fortus are registered trademarks of Stratasys Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates. ULTEM is a registered trademark of SABIC or its affiliates or subsidiaries. Atlas V is a trademark of United Launch Alliance.
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