a 3-D printed antenna support. Photo: RUAG Space

[Via Satellite 10-29-2014] Using additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, RUAG Space, in collaboration with Altair, has produced an antenna support. EOS, a German specialist for industrial 3-D printing, finished the product, which was designed using Altair software.

The 3-D printed antenna support is similar to the one used on the Sentinel 1A radar satellite. According to RUAG, the new antenna support weighs half as much as the component manufactured by conventional methods and has improved rigidity.

RUAG has been extensively involved in Research and Development (R&D) on 3-D printing since 2013. The company intends to fit future Sentinel satellites with 3-D printed antenna supports.