Japan’s SLIM lands on Moon with help from metal Additive Manufacturing

ApplicationsNews
January 25, 2024

January 25, 2024

The additively manufactured aluminium lattice structure used on each leg of the SLIM is designed to crush on landing (Courtesy JAMPT/JAXA)
The additively manufactured aluminium lattice structure used on each leg of the SLIM is designed to crush on landing (Courtesy JAMPT/JAXA)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) has landed on the moon, making Japan only the fifth nation to successfully reach the lunar surface. Playing an essential role in protecting the spacecraft from the impact of the lunar landing, metal Additive Manufacturing was used to produce the shock absorber structures found on the tip of each leg.

Made by Japan Additive Manufacturing Co (JAMPT), based in Yamagata, the aluminium lattice, sponge-like structure has a hemispherical shape that is designed to crush on landing, thus softening the impact.

An additively manufactured lattice structure forms part of the shock absorber system on the SLIM (Courtesy Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
An additively manufactured lattice structure forms part of the shock absorber system on the SLIM (Courtesy Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)

The SLIM was mounted on the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 47 (H-IIA-F47), which was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on September 7, 2023. It landed on the moon on January 20, 2024, and demonstrated that its pinpoint landing technology necessary for future lunar probes was a success, with the touchdown being within 100 m of its target.

“We proved that you can land wherever you want, rather than where you are able to,” stated Shinichiro Sakai, project manager for the lander, during a press conference. “This will inspire more and more people, desirably Japanese missions, to try to land on unexplored places on the moon.”

THE WORLD OF METAL AM TO YOUR INBOX
Subscribe to our twice-weekly newsletter
Register now

Established in 2017 by Sojitz Corporation and Koiwai Co Ltd, JAMPT claims to be the first service bureau in Japan capable of providing comprehensive services in the field of metal AM, handling everything from powder development and manufacture to prototyping and production. The company has Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) machines from EOS and Concept Laser, Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) machines from Arcam, and a laser Directed Energy Deposition (DED) machine from Optomec. It operates in-house metal powder production, with a Plasma Rotating Electrode Process (PREP) atomiser.

www.jampt.jp

global.jaxa.jp

ApplicationsNews
January 25, 2024

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • Aluminium Additive Manufacturing: How a new generation of alloys will fuel industry growth
  • Shaping a national Additive Manufacturing ecosystem: The strategic growth of metal AM in Türkiye
  • How metal Additive Manufacturing is transforming modern hydraulic systems
  • High-performance product development in the era of computational design: a case study with nTop and NASA
  • The Additive Manufacturing of record-breaking pure copper heatsinks for high-performance computing applications
  • The Additive Manufacturing of tool steels: how non-linear modelling enables precise hardness control

Join 40,000+ other AM professionals – follow us online

Don’t miss a thing – register for our newsletter

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Register now

Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data
Find suppliers

About Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Metal AM magazine, published quarterly in digital and print formats, is read by a rapidly expanding international audience.

Our audience includes component manufacturers, end-users, materials and equipment suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

In addition to providing extensive industry news coverage, Metal AM magazine is known for exclusive, in-depth articles and technical reports.

Our focus is the entire metal AM process from design to application.

Each issue is available as an easy-to-navigate digital edition and a high-quality print publication.

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap