Aerospace Grade PEEK 3D Printing
Orion AM's additive manufacturing technologies unlock new space applications for high performance polymers.
Aerospace-Grade Materials
he aerospace and space exploration sectors demand materials that can survive extreme thermal fluctuations, high radiation, and intense mechanical stress while keeping mass to an absolute minimum.
Orion AM directly addresses these challenges by enabling the additive manufacturing of high-performance, lightweight components that replace traditional machined aluminum and titanium.
Lightweight Materials for Flight-Ready Parts
The use of PEEK, PPSU, PEI and PEKK polymers results in weight savings up to 50% compared to the use of metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. This helps to drastically reduce mass budget in space missions where every gram counts.
Complex geometries without Z-axis compromise
Flight-critical components cannot afford structural weaknesses. Thanks to our Thermal Radiation Heating technology, parts printed on Orion AM systems achieve exceptional Z-axis tensile strength, ensuring they bear loads evenly in every direction.
From Berlin to the Moon
Orion AM has been optimizing AM processes for high performance polymers since 2018. We printed the first 3D printed parts to be sent to the moon on the 2023 Rashid Rover.
Photo: ESA
Benefits of Orion AM
Materials Ready for Space Missions
Through additive manufacturing, we can address the challenges of weight reduction while simultaneously decreasing costs, minimizing pollution and increasing the flight efficiency. The use of advanced thermoplastics adds value and unique properties where their superior corrosion and fatigue resistance, tensile strength and durability can lead to outperform metal.
Manufacturing and Design Flexibility
3D printing allows for integration of features, resulting in a robust design with fewer parts. Complexity comes at no additional costs as no additional setup is required. Parts can be produced on demand and highly customized. Factories and manufacturers can be setup for bespoke production.
Higher Strength with Thermal Radiation Heating
Orion AM's Thermal Radiation Heating greatly increases the strength and mechanical properties of 3D printed parts, allowing the production of flight-ready end-use parts capable of withstanding high pressures and a wide range of physical and chemical phenomena.
Photo: ESRIC/LIST