China's lunar exploration project bears the important satellite for ground-to-month measurement and control and data transmission relay-Chang'e-4 relay satellite successfully arrived at the Halo mission orbit at the L2 point of the Earth. It is reported that among the products carried on the satellite are many new products that first show space, including a number of complex shaped aluminum alloy structural parts developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd. Five Academy 529 using 3D printing technology, marking its realization. The first on-orbit application opened a new era of the plant's 3D printing technology in model engineering applications.
As one of the important development directions of advanced manufacturing technology, 3D printing technology has always attracted much attention from 529 factories. In 2014, 529 factories undertook 3D printing manufacturing technology promotion and application projects. In 2015, the plant purchased a full range of 3D printing equipment, and independently carried out the engineering research and application of 3D printing technology. In 4 years, the factory has successively completed the process identification of laser selective melting forming of aluminum alloys, titanium alloys and other materials (a metal material 3D printing technology), broke through a number of key technologies, and obtained the star license of laser selective melting forming technology. .
The 3D printing products carried on the satellite all adopt topology optimization configuration. Through the combination with lightweight design technology, the weight of parts is greatly reduced, and the load-bearing ratio is effectively improved. The technical advantages of 3D printing have been fully utilized.
The successful launch and orbital operation of the Chang'e-4 relay satellite has important milestones for the plant's 3D printing technology and products. At present, the 3D printing technology of the 529 plant has been widely used in the development of prototypes and prototypes in manned spaceflight, deep space exploration, remote sensing, communication and other fields.
At present, the 529 factory has also established Chongqing Yongchuan and Shanxi Wuxiang Aerospace Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Research Institute in cooperation with local government departments to focus on building a 3D printing intelligent manufacturing platform based on the Industrial Internet. In the future, the plant will further strengthen basic research, deepen its application, and work hand in hand with the design institutes of the Fifth Academy to further promote the comprehensive application of 3D printing technology in various fields of spacecraft.