First, it was the buses, trains and the automobile industry that were touched by 3D technology to make them stronger and lighter. Currently, the buzz has been spread in the market that a US Missile defense company has reached out to the ExOne Company to create Silicon Carbide Components.
The word is spread that the deal has been settled at a price of 1.5 million. The end product is expected to be lighter and more efficient in operations. The skills and techniques that are needed to get the work done are accurately suitable as per the skills of ExOne.
The Binder Jetting
Since the techniques used in the creation of a 3d printed missile is binder jetting, it is imperative to understand what it is. In this technique, a liquid binder is applied to the powder particles (selective particles) in order to create an object in the solid form. This object can further be used in the production of other products made with metal, ceramic or sand. Now, as the Silicon Carbide is ceramic, it requires post curing after the binder process is successfully done.
Silicon Carbide
Basically, it is a hard wearing ceramic. It is ideal to be used in making high-performance brakes in the automobiles, mostly the sports cars. Due to its resistance to high temperatures and the durability, it has been marked as the ideal substance for missile support structures.
Rick Lucas, the chief technology officer of ExOne said that it is a great opportunity to work with MDA. Given the pros of binder jetting, it will be used in the process to create missile component support structures. As a result, a great drop in the weight of the missile is expected and the efficiency will be flourished. All thanks to the 3d printing.
Working of ExOne Printers
ExOne is among the most potential users of binder jetting technology. The parts that these printers produce are of dimensions 735x355x355 mm and made with a superalloy which is Nickel based.
ExOne is also known for producing sand cores and molds in order to instantly cast the components in huge sizes.
Binder Jetting has the tendency to create much larger objects. There are architectural structures that are crafted in huge sizes. However, the size of the missile structure components is smaller than these.
Towards the Missile industry, this is a major step taken by 3D printing industry. MDA is likely to turn to 3d printed parts on a large scale in order to keep their equipment work clearly and perfectly.
Source: 3dprintingindustry.com