Enabling Sensor-Integrated and Sustainable Aerospace Structures Through Additively Manufactured Aluminium Mechanisms for CubeSats.

ABSTRACT: CubeSats are a fundamental tool of space exploration, allowing for the testing of novel ideas that can be upscaled to more efficient satellite systems. This work presents the development and characterisation of an additively manufactured aluminium mechanism designed to enable the self-functionalisation of CubeSat structures through material extrusion metal additive manufacturing, as a foundation for sensor integration. A space-grade AlSi7Mg alloy was selected and prepared as a filament to print a fully functional hinge geometry, aiming to evaluate the feasibility of producing movable metallic components using a low-cost and sustainable extrusion-based process. Produced parts were subjected to debinding and vacuum sintering, achieving a densification above 85% and an average hardness of 52.

SUBMITTER: Alves B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12788343 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature