Aimen Expertise Centre has accomplished the 3D printing of a cryogenic tank demonstrator for the OVERLEAF mission. The Spanish group manufactured a 1.5-meter-diameter internal tank designed to retailer liquid hydrogen (LH2) at extraordinarily low temperatures for future plane purposes. The mission is led by Aciturri, a Spanish aeronautics firm engaged on hydrogen storage options.
The tank design incorporates a dual-component system combining an additively manufactured thermoplastic internal vessel with an outer carbon fiber construction. The internal part maintains the liquid hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures, whereas the carbon fiber exterior offers structural integrity. Aimen utilized large-format additive manufacturing with excessive precision to create the internal tank.
“This can be a technological answer that may mark a earlier than and after within the manufacturing of parts for sustainable aviation,” stated Pablo Romero, staff chief of the Additive Manufacturing of Composites R&D group at Aimen. The manufacturing course of required over 100 hours of steady printing in a specialised robotic cell developed by Aimen. Actual-time monitoring with thermal cameras ensured high quality management all through the prolonged construct.
The manufacturing cell integrated high-performance 3D printing programs alongside infrared heating expertise to make sure correct adhesion between layers. This technical method was essential to fulfill the demanding necessities for hydrogen storage programs in aviation purposes. The tank represents a big step towards enabling hydrogen as an aviation gas supply.
Aimen collaborated with French analysis heart Canoe to develop a brand new sustainable materials for the mission. The bio-based thermoplastic strengthened with pure fibers permits for printing sturdy, light-weight constructions with lowered environmental affect. This materials improvement aligns with the broader objectives of making extra sustainable aviation applied sciences.
Supply: compositesworld.com
