The European Space Agency (ESA) has revealed that it plans to "take 3D printing into the metal age" which it hopes to achieve by constructing parts for spacecrafts, jets and fusion projects.
On Tuesday, October 15, the ESA demoed the ability to print 3D with metal. Additive manufacturing or "3D printing," as it is popularly known, has already revolutionized the design of plastic products. Printing metal parts for aircrafts and rockers would be eco-friendly, as well as reduce waste and expenditures.
"We want to build the best quality metal products ever made. Objects you can't possibly manufacture any other way," said David Jarvis, ESA's head of new materials and energy research.
3D printing with metal is not a new concept. In the past, GE has deployed the technique to produce fuel injectors for its aircraft engines. Moreover, China too claims that it uses additive printing to construct load-bearing components in aircrafts.
Earlier in July this year, NASA revealed that it had tested a 3D-printed rocket engine part successfully.
The Amaze (Additive Manufacturing Aiming Towards Zero Waste and Efficient Production of High-Tech Metal Products) project was announced earlier in October and the ESA showed off 3D-printed metal hinges at an exposition in the London Science Museum.
Currently, factories are being established in France, Germany, the UK, Norway and Italy for mass production via additive printing.
At Amaze's October 15 launch at London's Science Museum, ESA unveiled Tungsten alloy components that can withstand temperatures as high as 3,000 degrees centigrade,
"To build a [fusion reactor], like Iter, you somehow have to take the heat of the Sun and put it in a metal box. 3,000C is as hot as you can imagine for engineering," noted Jarvis. "If we can get 3D metal printing to work, we are well on the way to commercial nuclear fusion."
Amaze, projected to cost 20 million euros, began in January 2013. It currently has 28 partners, which include academic institutes as well as companies like European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company N.V. The project perseveres to develop new metal components that are stronger, lighter and cheaper when compared to conventional parts.
