Renishaw helps Irish Manufacturing Research advance aerospace optics manufacturing
Renishaw, headquartered in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, UK, has collaborated with Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), based in Rathcoole, Ireland, to support research into the use of Additive Manufacturing for novel aerospace materials. This collaboration is part of a Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund (DTIF) project led by mBryonics, a manufacturer of freeform optics for the space industry based in Galway.
Through the placement of a Renishaw RenAM 500Q Flex Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) AM machine at IMR’s facility, researchers are developing advanced process parameters for the metal Additive Manufacturing of freeform optical components used in laser-based satellite communications. By shifting from conventional machining, the project aims to improve production speed and efficiency.
The RenAM 500Q Flex, equipped with Renishaw’s TEMPUS technology, was said to have been selected for this project due to its ability to overcome the specific challenges of additively manufacturing highly temperature-sensitive aerospace materials. IMR found that other PBF-LB Additive Manufacturing machines can struggle with thermal fluctuations, which can lead to defects such as cracking, while the 500Q Flex’s four-laser configuration and enhanced process control enable faster layer completion and minimised temperature variations.
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“Our approach will improve build quality and enable scalability,” explained Colin Meade, Additive Manufacturing Technologist at IMR. “This research isn’t just about lab-based experimentation; it’s about developing technology that is ready for full-scale production as quickly as possible. We need to reach a technology readiness level (TRL) of around seven or higher to ensure rapid transfer to industry.”
Looking ahead to the project’s completion target of autumn 2026, Meade added, “In practice, this research could enable mBryonics to scale production from single-digit units per month to hundreds or even thousands.”
The partnership is noted as reinforcing the importance of collaboration between industry leaders and research institutions in advancing Ireland’s aerospace manufacturing sector. Combining IMR’s advanced manufacturing research, Renishaw’s Additive Manufacturing and mBryonics’ work in freeform optics, the project is hoped to deliver transformative results.
“Our collaboration with IMR is about more than just supplying technology, it’s about providing the expertise and support needed to drive innovation,” said Chris Dimery, AM Business Manager (EMEA) at Renishaw. “By working closely with IMR, we’re ensuring that advanced Additive Manufacturing solutions are developed with real-world industrial adoption in mind.”
