The iLAuNCH Trailblazer project is embarking on an initiative to use additive manufacturing for large-scale carbon composite structures in rockets. It aims to change rocket manufacturing by leveraging additive manufacturing’s design flexibility and speed, combined with carbon composite technology advancements.
Executive Director Darin Lovett highlighted the approach of laying up space-grade carbon-fiber and digitally modeling it for scale and repeatable design, emphasizing its potential benefits for defense, aerospace, and other sectors requiring bespoke composite structures.
Collaborating with New Frontier Technologies (NFT), the Australian National University, and the X-ray Computed Tomography laboratory, the project focuses on developing structures suitable for rocketry applications with rigorous testing and validation.
The Australian National University will assess and mature the manufacturing process, contributing significantly to advancing Australian manufacturing capability.
The project employs x-ray computed tomography (CT) and 3D multiscale modeling for high-fidelity simulation and structural integrity assessment, providing detailed insights into microstructure features crucial for performance optimization and reliability.
New Frontier Technologies pioneers design for manufacture strategies for scalable, additive manufacturing of space-grade carbon-fiber structures.
“This is the only ATP manufacturing capability of its kind in Australia and has been proven in European (ESA) projects for manufacture of high-performance composite structures for space applications,” said Paul Compston, Director and CEO of NFT.
This initiative marks a significant advancement in rocket manufacturing, promising greater efficiency and precision in producing carbon composite structures essential for space applications, with implications for various industries requiring high-value composite structures.
Source: australianmanufacturing.com.au
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