Oerlikon (a leading technology and engineering group) and RUAG Space (a division of the RUAG Group), signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the recent Farnborough International Airshow, aimed at qualifying and accelerating the series production of 3-D printed space components.

The two organisations are already working together on the qualification of a bracket that would be installed on a ‘payload fairing’.

A new and optimised design — made possible by additive manufacturing — will reduce costs by 25% and cut weight by more than 50%, while doubling the stiffness of the bracket.

The companies say collaboration on the bracket exemplifies their strong partnership, which will be deepened further through this initiative.

Roland Fischer, CEO of Oerlikon Group, said: “Through our on-going collaboration with RUAG Space (www.ruag.com/space), we have identified opportunities to fine-tune the qualification and certification processes that are crucial in ensuring consistent quality in production.

“We are confident that our materials and additive manufacturing expertise will further grow this important partnership.”

Within this co-operation, 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 will also explore the refinement of existing alloys for the additive-manufacturing process and the development of new metallic materials that will unlock future design opportunities.

Peter Guggenbach, CEO of RUAG Space, said: “We see this partnership as an important step in unleashing the full value of additive manufacturing in the development of new products that meet the rapidly evolving demands of the space industry.

“We are working on standardising additive-manufacturing operations for space, and we are excited to collaborate with Oerlikon AM to further develop industry-leading standards and processes.”