MTI

Nasa’s Johnson Space Center will collaborate with MTI (Metal Technology) to develop next-generation 3D print rocket engines.

Metal Technology is a custom manufacturing company, which is mainly involved in reactive, refractory, and high-temperature metals production.

Nasa and many of its units are currently working on more effective ways of using digital manufacturing methods such as 3D metal printing.

"The project provided amazing collaboration between the Nasa and MTI development teams and the results were excellent."

Propulsion engineers and scientists from the agency are working to integrate an additive manufacturing process, including conformal regenerative cooling channels or other geometry unconstrained by traditional manufacturing techniques.

The process aims to reduce costs and simultaneously increase performance.

MTI has already involved in producing forgings for the space agency’s Orion capsule, which will take part in Nasa’s Space Launch System designed for missions to Mars and deep space explorations.

MTI chief executive officer Gary Cosmer said: "The project provided amazing collaboration between the Nasa and MTI development teams and the results were excellent."

Known to be withstanding extreme heat and harsh environments, MTI previously produced Inconel 718 alloy material for Nasa’s Johnson Space Center.

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a mixture of various processes through which a three-dimensional object has been created with the help of computers.

The objects created through the process can be almost any shape or geometry.

Image: Nasa rocket engine chamber and nozzle 3D printed by MTI from Inconel 718 alloy. Photo: courtesy of Metal Technology.