In the aerospace and aviation field, the application of metal additive manufacturing technology has been very extensive. However, due to the complex design of the internal structure of the parts and the high precision requirements, the use of traditional manufacturing methods requires higher costs and longer time, and the production efficiency and cost control of enterprises are facing significant challenges. In the face of such a difficult situation, BLT has set up an independent R&D team from the development stage of the first machine, focusing on the development of intelligent software and hardware systems designed specifically for metal additive manufacturing.

After more than ten years of research and development experience, BLT has created a complete process monitoring system, including BLT-Intelligent Recoating Detection, BLT-3D Reconstruction and BLT-Video Monitoring module. The system includes the whole process monitoring from the beginning of manufacturing to the completion of pickup, which can realize visualized easy operation and intelligent real-time, help efficient and intelligent quality management of the production process, and save nearly 500,000 invisible costs for customers every year.

BLT-Intelligent Recoating Detection

BLT-Intelligent Recoating Detection can intelligently recognize the complex environment of different models of equipment in the process of printing and spreading powder, with the advantages of high detection accuracy, high finished product rate, and reduced labor costs. The software can intelligently recognize abnormal conditions such as lack of powder, squeegee jamming, and powder spreading cuts. The identification process does not need to worry about the impact of the printing environment, the detection success rate of up to 98%. The whole inspection process supports printing without stopping, and realizes the self-treatment of powder laying problems, which greatly reduces the time and labor costs.

BLT-3D Reconstruction

BLT-3D Reconstruction uses a high-quality industrial camera to take pictures of the forming section layer by layer, realizing real-time tracking of the forming process and accurately locating model defects during the printing process. It can clearly and accurately efficiently locate the defective areas of model slices, which is easier to trace when optimizing at a later stage; this module can not only track the formed section in real time, but also simulate the section about to be printed, which makes it easy to correct possible future errors in a timely manner, and improves the stability of the overall printing process. It takes only 3s to rebuild 12,000 layers with this function, which is in line with the demand for efficient, multi-layer reconstruction of large-size parts in the aerospace and aviation industry.

BLT-Video Monitoring

BLT-Video Monitoring plays a role in tracing the quality of the printing process, and equipped with a very clear operating screen, support for local one-key access. It supports video recording of the entire 3D printing process, and you can choose to assemble more than 4T capacity of large hard disk, as long as you set up a customized time interval, the module can be automatically stored in high-definition video and pictures in accordance with the format, to improve the convenience of the operation of the manual late quality traceability.

BLT-Intelligent Recoating Detection, BLT-3D Reconstruction and BLT-Video Monitoring cover the whole time period of process quality monitoring and can be connected to the BLT-MES system, so that users can grasp the production status in real time, which is convenient for remote inspection and later quality traceability. BLT’s process monitoring system combines software and hardware to optimize process parameters with advanced technology, ensure a more stable manufacturing process, and achieve high-efficiency and low-cost manufacturing of aerospace and aviation components.

On September 11-12 local time, AM Conclave Middle East 2024 was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. BLT Europe participated in this exhibition along with its agent MAPTEC.

BLT exhibited several large-scale, high-precision application cases in aerospace, industrial machinery, and other fields.

At the exhibition, Slobodan Ilic, Sales & Marketing Director of BLT Europe, delivered a speech titled “The Largest 3D-Printed Satellite Structure: BLT Propels the Commercial Aerospace Industry to New Heights,” introducing BLT’s large-scale application cases in the commercial aerospace sector. Many clients visited the BLT & MAPTEC booth to learn about BLT, including machines & systems and printing services.

BLT will continue to refine its technology and actively promote intelligent manufacturing. By enhancing globalization, BLT aims to provide more automated and intelligent metal additive manufacturing solutions for users around the world.

Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) and COSATS are advancing space exploration together while combining 3D printing with Commercial Aerospace.

Founded in 2019, COSATS specializes in SmallSats and CubeSat research and commercialization. Notably, in 2022 COSATS’ COSPOD was selected into the international CubeSat Design Specifications Rev14.1, making it the only Chinese team to contribute to this global standard in over a decade of its publication and revisions.

In 2020, COSATS launched COSPOD-3D, a CubeSat deployer 3D printed by BLT. The deployer was printed in one piece with high-strength aluminum. BLT also reduced the satellite deployer weight by 50% and cut production time from months to a week.

COSPOD-3D CubeSat SmallSats deployer

COSPOD-3D CubeSat deployer (Courtesy COSATS)

The following year saw the launch of the Agile Testbed, designed for various space experiments. Using the 3-laser BLT-S400, BLT created the main frame in one piece. The part underwent 24-hour internal processing, including post-processing, machining, and anodization. The entire project took only eight days to complete.

Agile Testbed

2023 marked another milestone with the Dalian-1 Lianli project. It serves as a testbed for multiple new technologies. It validates an OpenHarmony-based real-time operating system and a 3D-printed ultra-lightweight SmallSats satellite deployer, among other things.

Using AlSi10Mg alloy and the 8-laser BLT-S800, BLT rapidly produced parts meeting strict requirements. The parts withstand extreme temperatures, vacuum, and corrosion, ensuring reliable long-term storage and deployment in orbit.

Pictures by Dalian-1 Lianli

Pictures taken by Dalian-1 Lianli (Courtesy: Dalian University of Technology)

BLT’s influence in the commercial space continues to grow. It now works with over 30 clients in the sector. BLT’s services cover technical consulting, machines and systems, and materials.

The partnership between BLT and COSATS showcases the potential of 3D printing in space technology. Both companies are looking to the future with ambitious goals, representing a significant step forward for the global commercial aerospace industry.

Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) played a crucial role in JiuZhouYunJian’s recent 10km-level flight and recovery test of the Longyun liquid oxygen-methane engine. This test, completed on June 23, 2024, at the Jiuquan Dongfeng Launch Center, marks a significant milestone in China’s commercial aerospace industry.

rocket

Jiuzhou Yunjian Longyun liquid oxygen-methane engine completed the 10km-level flight and recovery test

BLT’s advanced metal additive manufacturing technology was instrumental in producing critical engine components. This included thrust chamber parts and turbo pump parts. Using the BLT-S450, BLT achieved remarkable manufacturing efficiencies. The thrust chamber cover was formed as a single piece in just seven days. The turbo pump components were produced in batches of six, with each piece taking 52 hours on average.

pump

Methan pump case roughcast developed by BLT in collaboration with Jiuzhou Yunjian

Many of the components used GH4169 superalloy (US Inconel 718). They outperform previous versions in surface quality, mechanical properties, and density, with fewer internal defects. The components exhibit exceptional tensile strength, withstanding over 1300MPa at room temperature and 1700MPa in low temperature. Their yield strength exceeds 1000MPa and 1200MPa, respectively, while maintaining 20% elongation in both environments.

BLT-S450

BLT-S450

BLT’s partnerships extend to over 30 companies and organizations, cementing its role as a vital supplier in the growing commercial aerospace industry. BLT continues to enhance its competitive edge by offering comprehensive solutions from design optimization to equipment support.