The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - September 7, 2022
S-band antenna RF patches for low-Earth-orbit satellites created with Fleet Space's DMP Flex 350 metal 3D printer.
Fleet Space Technologies has taken another large step on its path to leveraging the unique abilities of metal 3D printers to manufacture a constellation of 288 low-Earth-orbit satellites that can deliver secure planet-wide coverage for millions of industrial internet of things devices.
This new phase for the Australian satellite technologies company is the installation of a new 3D Systems DMP Flex 350 metal 3D printer. Supplied by Konica Minolta, this direct metal printer uses a laser to weld thin layers of metal powder to produce highly complex parts.
This latest technology represents a significant boost to Fleet Space's capabilities, enabling the development and additive manufacturing of its own satellite components and paving the way for entirely 3D-printed Alpha satellites.
"Bringing our 3D printing capability entirely in-house rather than outsourcing it offers huge benefits to us and our customers," said Fleet Space Technologies CEO Flavia Tata Nardini. "As well as enabling us to make complex components for our current models and future Alpha satellites, it increases efficiency from design to production, making the whole process more cost-effective; and by being fully autonomous, we can eliminate delays in shipping and sourcing."
Fleet Space's new 3D printer is the centerpiece of the tech company's newly expanded 1,200-square-meter (13,000 square feet) manufacturing facility in Adelaide, South Australia.
"South Australia is proud to be home to a thriving space ecosystem consisting of innovative companies, like Fleet, that are pushing the frontiers of smart technologies and creating new high-tech jobs for South Australians," South Australia Deputy Premier Susan Close said during an August ribbon cutting ceremony that marked the official opening of the expanded headquarters.
The opening ceremony came on the heels of Fleet Space's successful trial of ExoSphere, a geophysics system that utilizes a combination of lightweight earthbound geophones, edge computing, and a constellation of low-earth-orbit nanosatellites to discover critical minerals up to 15 times faster than traditional methods.
With its first test at a lithium project in Australia, ExoSphere technology could help mining companies more quickly discover the US$13 trillion worth of additional energy transition minerals that the International Monetary Fund estimates will be required to meet global net-zero carbon dioxide emissions targets.
"Fleet is doing amazing work to speed up decarbonisation through its innovative ExoSphere earth scanning technology," Close added. "It's these innovations, nurtured within an ecosystem of private companies and leading academic institutions that will drive the benefits of space technology to all our citizens."
Further details on ExoSphere can be read at Space-borne mineral exploration is here in the August 12, 2022 edition of Metal Tech News.
The new DMP Flex 350 installed at Fleet Space's expanded facility provides engineers with out-of-this-world options when it comes to developing unique, lightweight, and durable satellite components.
This direct metal printer is able to print virtually any complex shape imaginable out of a wide variety of lightweight yet strong advanced alloys made from metals such as aluminum, cobalt, niobium, scandium, titanium, and tungsten.
This machine is initially printing S-band antenna radio frequency (RF) patches, which are used to transmit and receive signals between low-earth-orbit constellations, as well as communicate with portals and modems on the ground.
"We're capitalising on our existing knowledge and experience of 3D printing antennas and structural components. And this is just the starting point," said Nardini. "As our engineers explore and understand the full potential of 3D printing, we'll be able to use it to develop new designs and produce circuit boards and other electrical components."
These new additive manufacturing skills will be applied to the production of Alpha, which is expected to represent the first satellite to be created entirely through 3D printing.
"The 3D printer is bringing us a step closer to mass production of our 288-satellite constellation where we estimate to produce 4-8 satellites every month," the Fleet Space CEO and founder said.
The next generation Alpha satellites working in harmony with Fleet Space's current Centauri satellite constellation will help the Australia-based space tech company realize its vision that "everyone, everywhere has access to unlimited connectivity, no matter where they are on the globe. In cities, remote regions, on land or navigating the oceans."
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
Reader Comments(0)