Technology that removes errors from CNC manufacturing processes to create right-first-time parts is seeing a surge in demand within the space industry for manufacturers producing components for rockets, satellites and launch equipment.
The growth of the Space industry is staggering and is currently projected to be worth an estimated $1.8 trillion by 2035. However, behind the scenes, manufacturers are struggling to manufacture complex parts correctly, keep up with supply chain demands or adapt their current processes to win space contracts.
It is in these areas that CNC metrology expert, MSP, has seen an increased demand from companies well-established in the industry or start-ups wanting to manufacture space components. MSP’s proven solution was developed in and for the aerospace industry before also finding success in F1. The technology can create the ‘perfect part’ by removing calibration errors from probe, machine and alignment setup autonomously to achieve the perfect finished part.
Currently there are no other metrology solutions offering this end-to-end automation for the manufacturing industry, making their solution unique. MSP’s products offer proactive solutions to adapt existing manufacturing methods to the match the demands of the space manufacturing industry and it is because of this that has seen their popularity rise in the sector.
Manufacturers benefitting from these solutions include a California-based autonomous factory firm and orbital launch services provider, Orbex, based in Scotland.
Aidan Wigham, Technical Account Manager, said: “Using traditional and, often manual, manufacturing methods to machine composite or additive space components is not viable due to the high value nature of parts and importance of machining them right-first time. Manual manufacturing methods cannot guarantee an error-free production process which increases the likelihood of scrap.
“Processes must also be flexible as, often, only a few parts of a version are produced, before they are then redeveloped, so spending huge amounts on bespoke systems or tooling to ensure quality isn’t feasible. Using MSP products, manufacturers could, if they wanted to, produce a different part each time, to the same level of quality, without the need for an expensive customised solution per component”
“Manufacturers particularly enjoy the fact our products don’t disrupt their existing manufacturing processes – they automate and enhance certain setup processes to increase accuracy, efficiency and provide a transparent understanding of each step of the manufacturing process”.
The growth of the space industry has been stratospheric, and if more manufacturers entering the sector use this type of metrology solution to automate their production processes, the growth of this industry will be truly exponential.