Additive Manufacturing for Lightweighting Satellite Platform

Lightweight structures with an internal lattice infill and a closed shell have received lot of attention in the last 20 years for satellites, due to their improved stiffness, buckling strength, multifunctional design, energy absorption. The geometrical freedom typical Additive Manufacturing allows lighter, stiffer, more effective be designed aerospace applications. Laser Powder Bed Fusion technology, particular, enables fabrication metal parts complex geometries, altering way mechanical components are manufactured. This study proposed method re-design original satellite consisting walls ribs enclosed design. new must comply restricted requirements terms properties, dimensional accuracy, weight. most challenging is first frequency request which based on traditional fabrication, does not satisfy. To overcome this problem particular framework was developed locally thickening critical zones lattice. use design permitted complying dynamic behavior obtain weight saving maintaining properties. primary structure demonstrated feasibility technology satisfy requests field.