JAXA selects Nikon to develop advanced metal Additive Manufacturing technology for space applications
Nikon Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, has been selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to participate in a technology development programme to establish metal Additive Manufacturing technology for the production of large-scale space components.
The selection is part of the open call for proposals from the Space Strategy Fund (SSF), titled ‘Innovative technology for lightweight, high-performance, and lower cost space transportation systems.’
The aim is to capture a significant share of the global aerospace market by developing Japan’s first Additive Manufacturing machine capable of producing components for large-scale structures and parts for space transportation systems. This includes large and precise space applications, such as the rocket engine components shown above. The project objective is to develop and demonstrate metal Additive Manufacturing technology to meet these needs.
Each organisation, selected from various Japanese companies and universities, will take the lead in its technological field of expertise. Nikon will utilise its digital manufacturing knowledge, including its metal AM and applied optics technologies.
