Additive manufacturing reshapes aerospace optics

Renishaw and Irish Manufacturing Research are pushing aerospace optics production into the future. Their collaboration, backed by Ireland’s Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund, is pioneering metal 3D printing for freeform optical components used in satellite communications. By swapping traditional machining for near-net-shape additive manufacturing, they aim to slash production times while boosting quality and scalability. The RenAM 500Q Flex system, with its four-laser setup and thermal control, addresses the cracking risks that typically hinder aerospace-grade prints. If successful, mBryonics could ramp up from producing a handful of units each month to hundreds or even thousands by 2026. For manufacturing leaders, this signals how strategic tech partnerships can unlock scale and efficiency in demanding sectors like aerospace.

Read the full article to see how AM is driving aerospace production forward.