Siemens and Sonaca win additive manufacturing contract from European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Siemens Digital Industries Software and Sonaca to develop aerospace design applications for metal additive manufacturing.

The two-year long project, named Design4AM aims to develop a validated process for using Siemens’ additive manufacturing software to design and produce lightweight structural parts for space applications, such as fittings, supports and bipods.

Siemens’ software solution for industrial additive manufacturing includes generative engineering, topology optimisation, predictive analytics, process simulation, build preparation and production execution.

Sonaca Space BU general manager, Pedro Romero Fernandez, said: “With our deep aerospace knowledge and Siemens’ software technologies…engineers will be able to explore hundreds of design options in a fraction of the normal time, then virtually test them against a variety of physical conditions to arrive at the best design solution for their performance requirements that 3D-print correctly the first time.”

Reshaping everything

Didier Granville, RTD projects Manager for Siemens in Liège, added: “Additive manufacturing can help ESA reshape everything for optimal performance at reduced cost, in comparison to traditional manufacturing methods that require multiple steps, tools, and treatments to achieve the desired outcome.

“Working with Sonaca, we will be able to help ESA take advantage of additive manufacturing to deliver high-performance structures capable of withstanding the extreme forces that occur during space satellite launches.”

The ESA and the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office are providing financial support for the project.

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