On April 16, 3D Printing Technology Reference noted that Relativity Space had been awarded an $8.7 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for real-time defect detection during the 3D printing of large parts. According to contract details, the work will be performed at Relativity Space's facility in Long Beach, California, and is expected to be completed by July 3, 2026.
Under the contract, Relativity Space is tasked with developing advanced technologies to improve aerospace component integrity and quality through real-time defect detection in large-scale 3D printing. According to SpaceNews, physicist Adam Hicks of AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate explained, "This effort by Relativity Space is in response to a signal of demand from (U.S.) Congress."
As Hicks noted, Relativity Space's $8.7 million contract to improve 3D printing defect detection directly supports the U.S. government's goals. The 2024 U.S. National Defense Authorization Act emphasizes the importance of technologies such as 3D printing to national defense. The law specifically calls for greater use of 3D printing by the Department of Defense (DoD), particularly for manufacturing parts that keep military equipment running and are often difficult to replace. In addition, the law requires the establishment of local facilities that can produce these vital components. Relativity Space's commitment to creating a more reliable method of detecting errors in 3D printing is a critical step in achieving these goals, ensuring that the parts needed for national defense are both high quality and readily available.
Hicks also explained that the program will see the Air Force Research Laboratory work closely with Relativity Space to "implement on-site process monitoring and post-build non-destructive evaluation technology." These techniques are essential to check part quality without damaging the printed part. During the printing process, the system will monitor in real time to ensure that the process proceeds smoothly. After printing, the parts are further inspected using advanced methods to ensure they work perfectly, rather than destructive inspections. This careful inspection is critical to help prevent future failures and ensure parts are safe for use in critical applications such as aerospace. Relativity Space will develop and validate a real-time defect detection system that will detect, locate and classify defects during the printing process. This data will then be formed into a digital thread.
This approach is designed to ensure the structural integrity of aerospace components and enhance the reliability of the manufacturing process using advanced robotics, automation and digital tools. The contract could increase the company's ability to produce reliable, high-quality components critical to space missions.
Relativity Space's Stargate fourth-generation metal 3D printer moves horizontally instead of vertically, feeding multiple metal filaments into a single print head. The Long Beach-based facility responsible for the new Air Force project is also home to Stargate, the world's largest metal 3D printer. Stargate is the company's revolutionary 3D printing technology that combines artificial intelligence, autonomous robotics and large-scale additive manufacturing to transform the production of spacecraft parts, from which the Terran 1 and Terran R rockets were born. The ability to quickly iterate and integrate machine learning to make real-time adjustments is critical to meeting the needs of aerospace engineering. It may be why it contributes to the goal of a new million-dollar government contract.
Relativity Space’s Stargate fourth-generation metal 3D printer
Supplier
Kmpass is a high-tech enterprise committed to the research and development, production, processing, sales and technical services of 3D printing materials. The company develops a variety of powder materials and chemicals. Provide OEM service. If you need high quality 3D printing powder, please feel free to contact us.
hot tags: 3d printing,3d printing technology, 3d printer
