AddUp and MT Aerospace extend partnership on DED

A major supplier to the space and aeronautics industry, the German company MT Aerospace, has renewed its confidence in the AddUp group with the acquisition of a second Modulo 400 machine. These two Directed Energy Deposition (DED) machines will enable MT Aerospace to multiply projects while reducing industrialization times, to move more rapidly towards the use of this technology for series production.

Based in Augsburg, Germany, MT Aerospace is the European leader in the field of fluid storage for the aerospace industry. This subsidiary of the OHB Group designs and manufactures fuel tanks for satellites and space launchers, including the Ariane 5 program. It is also the main supplier of drinking water and wastewater storage systems for Airbus group aircraft. Specialized in metal and composite processing, MT Aerospace also has expertise in metal 3D printing, in particular in DED (Directed Energy Deposition) technology thanks to its Modulo 400 machine supplied by AddUp in 2020.

AddUp, a French-based joint venture created by Michelin and Fives, is a global metal additive manufacturing OEM offering a range of Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) machines.  AddUp has been working closely with MT Aerospace experts for the past two years to qualify applications using the DED process. The Modulo 400 machine, which sprays metal powders through a high-powered laser beam, has proven its ability to create parts with fine surface finishes and high mechanical characteristics. MT Aerospace has already tested it on a wide variety of materials, even reactive materials such as Titanium thanks to the high level of safety of the machine.

In just two years, the German company is preparing to build up a complete industrial platform around DED technology, with design skills and production, post-processing, and part inspection capabilities. All these activities will of course be compatible with the requirements of the EN 9100 standard applicable to the aerospace sector later on.

MT Aerospace is taking a new step in its mastery of the DED process with the integration of a second Modulo 400 3D printer. The aerospace equipment manufacturer will be able to take advantage of this doubled production capacity to work simultaneously in several directions. First, the acceleration of qualification phases for satellites fuel tanks in collaboration with the European Space Agency, as well as the development of new applications for satellites and micro-launchers. Secondly, this second machine will be an opportunity to expand the services and thus address other sectors, such as the automotive or energy industries.

MT Aerospace has already succeeded in convincing numerous principals of interest in the DED process and is now counting on this new AddUp machine to accompany the increase in production volumes expected in the coming years. AddUp is proudly supporting this growth by offering its customers from Germany and beyond to fully benefit from the expertise of MT Aerospace to embrace the DED process.

AddUp and MT Aerospace will be presenting parts made through their partnership at the upcoming Formnext – Where Ideas Take Shape trade show, to be held in Frankfurt (Germany) from November 15 to 18. Visit the AddUp booth (Hall 12.0, booth E01) to discover the potential of the technology for the aerospace industry.

Finally, MT Aerospace and Addup intend to further extend their collaboration in 2023.