Tokyo, Japan – [19/7/2024] – Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC), a visionary space startup aiming to make space accessible to everyone, announces a groundbreaking partnership to manufacture propellant tanks using metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology for the first time in Japan. space startup aiming to make space accessible to everyone, announces a groundbreaking partnership to manufacture propellant tanks using metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology for the first time in Japan.
Collaboration for Agile Development
ISC has joined forces with WAAM3D, a leading WAAM hardware, software and materials organisation in the UK, Cranfield University, a world-renowned This strategic collaboration leverages the expertise of each partner to achieve agile development in propellant development. This strategic collaboration leverages the expertise of each partner to achieve agile development in propellant tank production.
Revolutionizing Development Speed with AM
“Founded in 2022, our goal is to develop a reusable space vehicle within the next five years,” says Kojiro Hatada, CEO of ISC. “To achieve this goal, a dramatic improvement in development efficiency is essential and have adopted agile development over traditional models and, in December, successfully conducted Japan’s first “reusable space vehicle” development. “To achieve this goal, a dramatic improvement in development efficiency is essential and has adopted agile development over traditional models and, in December, successfully conducted Japan’s first “tri-propellant’ combustion test, verifying the effectiveness of our proprietary We position AM technology as crucial for achieving a dramatic improvement in development efficiency is essential and have adopted agile development over traditional models and, in December, successfully conducted Japan’s first “tri-propellant’ combustion test, verifying the effectiveness of our proprietary “P4SD” (Platform for Space Development). We position AM technology as crucial for achieving this ambitious goal by enabling rapid prototyping, testing, and design optimization. partnership signifies a significant leap forward in our development process.
Global Expertise for Metal AM
WAAM3D brings its industry-leading WAAM technology and ecosystem to the table. Cranfield University contributes its extensive research and knowledge in metal AM, while Aichi Sangyo offers its experience in implementing AM solutions and deep understanding of the Japanese market.
Unlocking the Potential of AM in the Space Industry
“By combining our expertise, we aim to showcase the transformative potential of metal AM in the space industry,” says Dr. Filomeno Martina, CEO of WAAM3D. “This collaboration will not only revolutionize propellant tank manufacturing but also pave the way for future applications of AM in spacecraft development.”
About Innovative Space Carrier Inc.
Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC) is a venture company founded in May 2022 with the ambitious goal of developing a reusable space vehicle. The company leverages agile development methodologies and cutting-edge technologies to accelerate its mission of making space accessible to everyone.
About WAAM3D
WAAM3D is the only provider of a total, turnkey solution delivered via a WAAM ecosystem that is based on in-house developed products, services, and materials. By pushing the boundaries of WAAM capabilities, WAAM3D is helping those in aerospace, oil and gas, mining, and other industrial applications to have increased design freedom, reduce costs and By pushing the boundaries of WAAM capabilities, WAAM3D is helping those in aerospace, oil and gas, mining, and other industrial applications to have increased design freedom, reduce costs and shorten lead times of a range of medium-to-large sized components. WAAM3D has been focusing on enabling the manufacture of mission-critical components since the very beginning of this journey.
WAAM3D’s equipment is based on articulated robots, so theoretically, there is no limit to the size of the workpiece that can be formed. The generation of deposition paths, the fine-tuning of WAAM parameters, and the management of residual stress and distortion are all significant issues in WAAM processing. However, the company has succeeded in developing software and various sensors to address these challenges in a scientifically robust way. Under this alliance, ISC chose WAAM3D’s system to manufacture propellant tanks.
About Cranfield University
Cranfield University is a research institution with world-class knowledge of WAAM technology and has almost 20 years of experience in metal AM research. The university’s Welding and Additive Manufacturing Center is one of the world’s largest metal additive manufacturing facilities, equipped not only with various arc-based machines but also multiple laser processing systems and facilities for stress control and analysis during and after fabrication, where research is conducted on material development, cold working, advanced processes and hybrid manufacturing. Under this business alliance, Aichi Sangyo will utilise the university’s expertise in the manufacture of propellant Under this business alliance, Aichi Sangyo will utilize the university’s expertise in the manufacture of propellant tanks as part of its research activities.
About Aichi Sangyo Co.
Aichi Sangyo has introduced the world’s most advanced welding, melting, and melting technologies to the Japanese market as a technology As a technology proposal-oriented company, Aichi Sangyo introduces overseas technologies and has a wealth of experience in this field. They are one of the first companies in Japan to work on metal additive manufacturing technology, and we not only sell equipment but also use the equipment daily. We provide total AM solutions that integrate the three elements of metal AM: (1) systems (manufacturing equipment), (2) materials, and (3) design (manufacturing technology). In this business alliance, we will utilize WAAM3D’s AM system, which we purchased, to develop technology for manufacturing propellant tanks.