en.Wedoany.com Reported - South Korean satellite launch service provider INNOSPACE recently announced that it has taken the lead in South Korea in commercializing a support-free titanium 3D printing process. This process enables the manufacturing of high-precision titanium alloy components without the need for internal support structures, further extending the company's business layout in the deep-tech manufacturing sector.
INNOSPACE stated that this support-free titanium 3D printing technology can be used to produce complex curved structures such as spherical and dome shapes, making it suitable for components like satellite propellant tanks. It also helps reduce working hours and lower manufacturing costs. This technology originates from the process capabilities accumulated by the company during its HANBIT launch vehicle project and has now transitioned to commercial manufacturing applications.
In traditional metal additive manufacturing, components typically require support structures to minimize deformation. However, this also increases post-processing steps, extends production cycles, and limits design freedom. INNOSPACE claims that by introducing process control technology into the standard Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) environment, it has achieved support-free titanium 3D printing while maintaining product quality and structural stability, and also addressing the challenge of titanium's susceptibility to thermal deformation.
INNOSPACE delivered components manufactured using this process to a South Korean aerospace company in December, completing practical validation. The company stated that with support-free titanium 3D printing, manufacturing time can be shortened by 2.5 times, and costs can be reduced by up to 40%. The increased design freedom also provides more possibilities for lightweighting and performance optimization, helping it meet the needs of customers in fields such as aerospace and defense.
Kim Soo-jung, Founder and CEO of INNOSPACE, said, "The advanced metal manufacturing sector has high technical barriers and stringent quality verification standards. Mastering core technologies will directly impact scalability and profitability." He added, "Leveraging the additive manufacturing capabilities we developed through the launch vehicle project, we will accelerate our expansion into high-value markets such as aerospace, defense, and satellite structures, and strengthen our competitive position in the global market."
Earlier this year, INNOSPACE also entered the automotive additive manufacturing field and partnered with Hyundai Motor to provide it with an integrated additive manufacturing monitoring solution, INNO AM-X.
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