Canada Makes funded spacecraft part
An interface bracket for an antenna, developed by Canada Makes, MDA and FusiA, which will be launched on a satellite into space later this year.
Canada Makes has funded the development of additively manufactured spacecraft parts which will be launched into space later this year.
Produced in conjunction with FusiA and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), the components are interface brackets for an antenna. They have been optimised for a flight project, which Canada Makes suggest perfectly highlights how AM is rapidly changing the economics of space.
Canada Makes provided funding through its Metal Additive Demonstration program supported by NRC-IRAP. MDA was responsible for the parts’ design, while FusiA built them.
“Canada Makes’ primary goal is to reinforce Canada’s additive manufacturing supply chain and this project is a big step in that direction,” said Frank Defalco, Manager Canada Makes. “This is the third round we have partnered with NRC-IRAP on the Metal AM Demonstration Program, and we are very pleased that many other projects are also helping companies learn how to use additive manufacturing to innovate.”
Since the completion of the project, MDA has committed to accelerating its adoption of additive manufacturing for space, which Joanna Boshouwers, MDA’s Vice President and General Manager, believes will benefit the company’s development of more complex components.
“The FusiA built part will be tested structurally in order to qualify the rest of the batch to fly in space,” Boshouwers said. “The support MDA received by Canada Makes’ program has proved to be valuable, allowing us to explore more complex parts produced with this technique.”
From Boeing to NASA, an array of satellite manufacturers has adopted additive manufacturing techniques to reduce cost, weight and the time required to build parts. 3D printing has offered new possibilities for these companies. The building of parts with additive manufacturing allows new capabilities, not available using conventional manufacturing, to be extracted. Parts can be lightweighted, custom made and strong in areas most necessary.
The Metal Additive Manufacturing Demonstration Program is delivered by Canada Makes through funding by NRC-IRAP. It has been launched to help Canadian industries increase awareness and assist in understanding the advantages of metal additive manufacturing technology. Canada Makes works with a group of AM experts who provide participating companies guidance of the advantages and business opportunities in terms of cost savings and efficiencies of AM.
