Purdue University’s Applied Research Institute (PARI) is making waves in the hypersonics industry by utilizing additive manufacturing to produce a full-scale scramjet prototype. Scramjets, capable of propelling aircraft at speeds exceeding Mach 5, present significant challenges in design and manufacturing.
Led by a team at PARI’s Hypersonic Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (HAMTC), the project aims to accelerate advanced propulsion design with LPBF systems such as the GE Concept Laser X Line 2000R. Thanks to their metal printer, researchers can print complex engine components with reduced weight and part count.
This research not only streamlines prototyping but also facilitates rapid iteration and testing, ultimately driving down costs and expediting development. By leveraging PARI’s additive manufacturing capabilities alongside Purdue’s extensive propulsion test facilities, the project integrates cutting-edge research with practical applications.
“There’s no other university-affiliated institution with the capability to manufacture and then test hypersonic technologies at flight-relevant scales and conditions,” said graduate research assistant Will DeVerter.
“Once we have a part or system ready to go, I can walk it across the street and test it using some of the best propulsion and diagnostic technology in the world.”
The initiative not only advances hypersonic propulsion but also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, involving students from undergraduates to graduate levels. With funding from the Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Science and Technology Program, the project demonstrates Purdue’s commitment to shaping the future of hypersonics.
Source: purdue.edu
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