Additive manufacturing promotion platform Canada Makes, along with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) and FusiA Impression 3D Metal, has developed a 3D-printed metal component that will be launched into space later this year.

The collaboration has developed a spacecraft interface bracket can be installed onto an antenna and has been optimised for flight projects. The part is designed by MDA and is built by FusiA.

Project funding was provided by Canada Makes through its metal additive demonstration programme supported by National Research Council Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Programme (NRC-IRAP).

MDA vice-president and general manager Joanna Boshouwers said: “We are accelerating our adoption of additive manufacturing for space.

“The FusiA-built part shown will be tested structurally in order to qualify the rest of the batch to fly in space.

“The support MDA received by Canada Makes’ programme has proved to be valuable, allowing us to explore more complex parts produced with this technique.”

Various satellite manufacturers such as Boeing are currently applying additive manufacturing to reduce the required cost and time to build spacecraft parts.

“The FusiA-built part shown will be tested structurally in order to qualify the rest of the batch to fly in space."

Canada Makes manager Frank Defalco said: “Canada Makes primary goal is to reinforce Canada’s additive manufacturing supply chain and this project is a big step in that direction.

“This is the third round we have partnered with NRC-IRAP on the Metal AM Demonstration Programme, and we are very pleased that many others projects are also helping companies learn how to use additive manufacturing to innovate.”

Several private, public, academic and non-profit entities are currently involved with Canada Makes to promote the adoption and development of additive manufacturing in Canada.