For many months SpaceX y Boeing they dispute a new contract of NASA to be the suppliers of the International Space Station for the next few years. A millionaire contract that will allow them to be the company in charge of bringing and bringing both astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station. As has been reported, six trips have finally been granted, at least for the moment, to each of the companies, while waiting to see which of the two can develop their ship prototypes more quickly.
Focusing on this occasion on Boeing, one of the companies that is betting the most on the introduction of technologies such as 3D printing in its manufacturing processes, apparently in its new ship, baptized as CST-100, which will be tested very soon, a total of 600 pieces will be introduced that will be designed and manufactured using 3D design and printing technologies.
Oxford Performance Materials will be in charge of manufacturing the more than 600 3D printed parts on the Boeing CST-100.
As for the project itself, as reported, after several delays due to deficiencies in some parts of the aircraft caused by the use of both materials and a not entirely adequate design, the first tests had to be delayed. field. Thanks to the agreement reached with Oxford Performance Materials, it appears that the same initial testing date has been returned.
Oxford Performance Materials has precisely been in charge of announcing that they will be responsible for the manufacture of these 600 pieces created by 3D printing. The material chosen has been P.E.K.K., a polymer that stands out for characteristics such as offering the rigidity and resistance of aluminum but with a much lower weight. On the other hand, PEKK can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -185 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius.