Articles tagged with "aerospace-manufacturing"
Students build aerospace 3D printer that fuses two metals at once
A team of Swiss bachelor students at ETH Zurich has developed an innovative 3D metal printer, named RAPTURE, that significantly advances aerospace manufacturing by enabling high-speed, multi-material printing. Unlike traditional 3D printers that operate in a stop-start manner, this prototype uses a rotating laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) system to continuously deposit and fuse metal powders. This design allows the simultaneous fusion of two different metals—such as a copper core with a nickel-alloy exterior—in a single seamless step, which is particularly suited for producing complex aerospace components like rocket nozzles and turbine parts with large diameters and thin walls. The rotating platform reduces production time by over two-thirds compared to conventional methods. The RAPTURE machine also incorporates a novel gas flow system that directs inert gas across the fusion zone to prevent oxidation and continuously removes by-products like soot and spatter, resulting in cleaner builds and higher part quality. This feature was found critical to the success of the printing process. Initially created to support
materials3D-printingaerospace-manufacturingmetal-fusionmulti-material-printinglaser-powder-bed-fusionpropulsion-componentsIndian startup unveils world's largest single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine
Indian space-tech startup Agnikul Cosmos has developed the world’s largest single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine, measuring one meter in length and made entirely from Inconel, a high-performance nickel-chromium superalloy. This innovative engine is manufactured as a fully integrated, one-piece structure without welds, joints, or fasteners, which traditionally pose risks of failure in rocket engines. The 3D printing approach reduces manufacturing complexity and production time while enhancing structural integrity, marking a significant advancement in rocket engine design. Agnikul has also secured a US patent for this unique design and manufacturing method, underscoring India’s growing presence in the global aerospace sector. Founded in 2017 at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the company previously test-fired its first 3D-printed engine, Agnilet, in 2022. Agnikul’s latest development aims to offer more cost-effective, reliable, and rapidly produced rockets for on-demand space missions. The
3D-printingrocket-engineInconelsuperalloyaerospace-manufacturingadditive-manufacturingspace-technologyJeh Aerospace nets $11M to scale the commercial aircraft supply chain in India
Jeh Aerospace, an Indian startup founded by former Tata Group executives Vishal Sanghavi and Venkatesh Mudragalla, has raised $11 million in Series A funding to address production bottlenecks in the global commercial aircraft supply chain. The company focuses on scaling the manufacturing of precision metallic components for aero engines and aerostructures, supplying U.S.-based Tier 1 suppliers who serve major aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing. Headquartered in Atlanta to better serve its U.S. customers, Jeh Aerospace operates a 60,000-square-foot precision manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, India, where it leverages software-defined manufacturing, robotics, and IoT to reduce product lead times from the industry standard of 15 weeks to just 15 days. The startup’s approach aims to bring predictability and dynamic scheduling to aerospace component production, helping alleviate the current supply chain constraints amid a surge in global air traffic demand and a record commercial aircraft backlog nearing 15,700 units. Jeh Aerospace deliberately targets
robotIoTaerospace-manufacturingprecision-machinerysupply-chainindustrial-automationaircraft-componentsSwarm robotics could spell the end of the assembly line - The Robot Report
The article discusses how swarm robotics, powered by generative artificial intelligence (genAI), is poised to revolutionize aircraft manufacturing by potentially replacing the traditional assembly line system that has dominated industrial production for over a century. Unlike conventional robotic programming, which relies on fixed algorithms, swarm robotics employs Level 3 AI programming that enables autonomous robots to self-learn, recognize patterns, optimize processes, and improve performance without direct human intervention. This technology allows multiple interconnected autonomous robots to coordinate, communicate, and adapt in real-time, creating a collective “common mind” that can efficiently manufacture large, complex structures like airplanes and spacecraft. Swarm robotics offers significant advantages including faster production speeds, lower costs, higher precision, and enhanced safety by minimizing human error such as fatigue or oversight during assembly. The robots operate continuously and can fabricate aircraft components without moving the structure during production, eliminating the need for traditional assembly lines. This shift represents a profound transformation in manufacturing technology, promising to increase efficiency and accuracy while reducing labor requirements and operational
roboticsswarm-roboticsartificial-intelligencegenerative-AImanufacturing-automationaerospace-manufacturingindustrial-roboticsIndian drone developer Raphe mPhibr raises $100M - The Robot Report
Raphe mPhibr Pvt. Ltd., an Indian drone manufacturer based in Noida, recently raised $100 million in a Series B funding round led by General Catalyst, bringing its total equity funding to $145 million. Founded in 2017 by siblings Vikash Mishra (chairman) and Vivek Mishra (CEO), the company specializes in producing drones made from light carbon-fiber composites with high strength-to-weight ratios. Raphe mPhibr offers nine drone models with payload capacities ranging from 4.4 to 441 pounds (1.9 to 200 kg), capable of covering distances between 12 and 124 miles (19.3 to 200 km) and operating swarms of up to 100 drones. The company manufactures most components domestically, including batteries, flight controllers, and materials, and plans to produce radars and high-end cameras in-house within 18 months. With around 600 employees—150 focused on research and over 250 on production—
robotdronesUAVcarbon-fiber-compositesautopilot-systemsaerospace-manufacturingIndian-drone-industryTop 10 robotics developments of April 2025
roboticsautomationAIdelivery-robotsaerospace-manufacturingrobotic-systemsinnovation