MADIT builds 200 kW metal AM heat exchanger for aerospace applications
MADIT, Zamudio, Spain, has manufactured and assembled an aluminium heat exchanger for future aerospace applications as part of the BRAVA project, in collaboration with Airbus, NLR and Morpheus Designs.
Measuring almost one metre in length and with a heat-transfer capacity of 200 kW the demonstrator, developed over the course of three years, is intended to support the development of thermal management systems for aircraft, particularly those using hydrogen propulsion.
Produced using metal Additive Manufacturing at MADIT’s facilities in Zamudio, the heat exchanger comprises four central modules and two main manifolds joined by welding. The company states that the complexity of the configuration would make it unfeasible to produce using conventional manufacturing methods.
Compared with conventional solutions, the new design is reported to reduce weight by 33%, volume by 11% and aerodynamic drag by 22%, potentially contributing to improvements in aircraft efficiency and range.
MADIT will showcase the heat exchanger at Formnext 2026, taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, from November 17–20.
