Aurora Labs launches campaign to refine AM aerospace standards
Aurora Labs Limited (A3D), headquartered in Canning Vale, Australia, has announced its upcoming ‘Print Campaign’ which aims to demonstrate the company’s technology and illustrate its ability to additively manufacture material which meets SAE International aerospace standards AMS7039 and AMS7032. Upon successful completion, the campaign is hoped to enable A3D to be one of the first AM equipment companies compliant with these aerospace AM standards at 1500W laser power.
The four-phase project, supported by the Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA), will consist of a series of builds that will be performed on Aurora’s Beta prototype AM machine in 316L stainless steel. The parts produced will undergo various radiographic, metallurgical, mechanical and chemical testing that are essential quality indicators, including density, tensile, and fatigue properties. Results must be shown to be repeatable and consistent across the four phases for the campaign to be deemed successful. Separate to the testing requirements, Aurora aims to complete the campaign within three months.
The draft standards are being developed by aerospace AM experts under the SAE International Aerospace Materials Specifications, Additive Manufacturing – Metals (AMSAM-M) committee. The standards are expected to exceed many of the criteria contained in other industry standards relevant to A3D’s target industrial markets, and are expected to be a useful tool for Aurora to market its AM equipment technology to industrial clients and prospective partners.
“I am especially excited with Aurora Lab’s efforts to demonstrate both the reliability and capability of their high-power system,” stated Kevin Slattery, Principal Advisor, TBGA. “I am also interested in generating data that will show the applicability of the two specifications I have been working on with the AMSAM-M team, at a much higher level of power and productivity than those available to many users.”
Peter Snowsill, CEO of A3D, added, “We look forward to completing the demonstration campaign and sharing the results with prospective clients, partners and the wider AM community. A positive result will validate our capability for a wide range of industry applications that Aurora is pursuing, not just limited to aerospace. Demonstrating A3D’s technology methodically, with careful data collection, is an important part of our commercialisation strategy, adding to a bank of information that can be shared with prospective partners. The results will also assist is in securing contract printing clients as we promote print services to local industry. We are confident of achieving success and look forward to presenting the outcomes.”
The campaign is expected to commence before the end of February 2022. Results will be published once compiled.
