3D PRINT AN ENTIRE ROCKET IN 60 DAYS

AEROSPACE INDUSTRY : 3D PRINT AN ENTIRE ROCKET IN 60 DAYS

Instead of relying on the traditional, complicated assembly line of machines and people sculpting and piecing together parts of a vehicle, Relativity wants to make building a rocket almost entirely automated. The trick? Using giant 3D printers that can create all of the parts needed to build a rocket — from the engines to the propellant tanks and structure.

Process : Relativity has the largest metal 3D printer by volume, a machine that’s capable of creating parts that are up to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It’s called Stargate, another nod to Starcraft, and the team designed this printer from scratch, which means they can scale it up if needed. By relying on printers like this for manufacturing, teams will be able to produce about 95 percent of the rocket through 3D-printed automation. The last 5 percent still requires human labor. Most of that human interaction will be centered on testing, shipping, and very small amounts of manual assembly.

Post processing of the 3D print consists of 2 robots analysing the printed geometry, thereby automating the whole process of production.

Relativity’s Aeon engine undergoing a test fire at Stennis Space Center. Photo: Relativity Space Relativity’s Stargate 3D printer at the company’s LA headquarters. Photo: Relativity Space Source : https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/17/18185136/relativity-space-3d-printing-terran-1-rocket-cape-canaveral-florida