Aimen Know-how Centre has accomplished the 3D printing of a cryogenic tank demonstrator for the OVERLEAF challenge. The Spanish group manufactured a 1.5-meter-diameter interior tank designed to retailer liquid hydrogen (LH2) at extraordinarily low temperatures for future plane purposes. The challenge is led by Aciturri, a Spanish aeronautics firm engaged on hydrogen storage options.
The tank design encompasses a dual-component system combining an additively manufactured thermoplastic interior vessel with an outer carbon fiber construction. The interior element maintains the liquid hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures, whereas the carbon fiber exterior supplies structural integrity. Aimen utilized large-format additive manufacturing with excessive precision to create the interior tank.
“This can be a technological answer that can mark a earlier than and after within the manufacturing of parts for sustainable aviation,” mentioned Pablo Romero, workforce chief of the Additive Manufacturing of Composites R&D group at Aimen. The manufacturing course of required over 100 hours of steady printing in a specialised robotic cell developed by Aimen. Actual-time monitoring with thermal cameras ensured high quality management all through the prolonged construct.
The manufacturing cell integrated high-performance 3D printing programs alongside infrared heating know-how to make sure correct adhesion between layers. This technical strategy was obligatory to satisfy the demanding necessities for hydrogen storage programs in aviation purposes. The tank represents a major step towards enabling hydrogen as an aviation gas supply.
Aimen collaborated with French analysis heart Canoe to develop a brand new sustainable materials for the challenge. The bio-based thermoplastic bolstered with pure fibers permits for printing sturdy, light-weight constructions with decreased environmental impression. This materials growth aligns with the broader objectives of making extra sustainable aviation applied sciences.
Supply: compositesworld.com
