Metal Spinning - The Best Process for Spacecraft Components?

Forging and machining are traditional methods of producing spacecraft components like rocket combustion chambers or nozzle liners. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is an emerging technique that promises to simplify the manufacturing process and thus captures a lot of attention for rocket nozzle and combustion chamber manufacturing.

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While both techniques have their merits, a lesser-known method called “metal spinning” has emerged as a superior choice for rocket combustion chamber or rocket nozzle liners and other large, round aerospace components.

In this article, we’ll delve into the unique advantages of metal spinning and why it outshines other manufacturing methods in the demanding field of space exploration.

What are additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing?

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) builds objects by adding layers of material, while subtractive manufacturing (machining) shapes objects by removing material from a larger block.

Additive is for layer-by-layer creation, while subtractive is for material removal.

What is metal spinning?

Metal spinning sets itself apart by shaping solid input material metal directly to achieve the desired form, without the need for carving from solid blocks or layer-by-layer addition. Metal spinning conserves the amount of input material needed while still delivering the forged metal properties of product machined from forged stock.

Why is metal spinning a better method for spacecraft components manufacturing?

When it comes to manufacturing spacecraft components, metal spinning has proven itself to be the superior method for making large, round components like rocket nozzles and combustion chamber liners, outshining both additive and subtractive techniques.

With a long-standing history and a track record of success, metal spinning deserves recognition as a prime manufacturing process for the space market we proudly serve at AST.

Let’s look at its wide range of advantages…

8 Advantages of Metal Spinning:

There are 8 specific benefits of advanced metal spinning over other methods, when it comes to manufacturing large, round spacecraft components.

1. Strength and durability

The metal properties are comparable to forged metals. Through careful control of grain flow and grain size, the hoop strength of our parts can be improved by around 3 to 4%.

This is particularly valuable for applications where even slight improvements in strength make a significant impact.

By skillfully shaping the metal through spinning, we harness the benefits of forging, ensuring the reliability and performance required in the demanding field of space exploration.

2. Material savings

Unlike subtractive processes that involve removing excess material from a solid block, metal spinning optimizes resource utilization by directly shaping the metal to the desired shape.

This not only reduces waste but also offers cost savings while promoting sustainability—a key consideration in today’s manufacturing landscape.