Oerlikon, a leading technology and engineering group, and RUAG Space, a division of the technology Group RUAG, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to qualify and accelerate series production of 3D printed space components.

Oerlikon and RUAG Space are already working together on the qualification of a bracket that would be installed on a payload fairing. A new optimized design made possible through additive manufacturing will reduce costs by 25% and decrease weight by more than 50%, while doubling the stiffness of the bracket.

Within this cooperation, both companies intend to co-develop processes and standards for the metal-based additive manufacturing of space components, the intention being to establish standards suitable for the European space community to adopt. The partnership also will explore the refinement of existing alloys for the additive manufacturing process and the development of new metallic materials to unlock future design opportunities.

Oerlikon
www.oerlikon.com/en

RUAG Space
www.ruag.com/en