As ESA Technology Broker UK, we have been presented with a range of different technologies that have potential applications for space use.
Among these tools are electrochemical jet machining (ECJM) technologies from Nottingham-based designer and manufacturer, Texture Jet Ltd.
An advancement of electrochemical machining (ECM), ECJM is a unique surface finishing technology that can be used to shape edges, part mark, and prepare surfaces, without the need to mask the parts being processed.
The process creates no contact, heat, dust or swarf during machining and can be used for conductive metal parts, and surface preparation for bonding / coating of carbon fibre polymers.
Controllable and capable of producing highly repeatable machining, surface polishing or roughening, ECJM can remove material from between just 1 and up to 500 microns.
The process is safer and more environmentally-friendly than many surface finishing technologies, where harmful or toxic chemicals may be used to machine parts. The lack of masking requirements reduce process times by as much as 68% while also lowering the amount of waste generated from machining.
The process can deliver fully automated, high quality surface finishes, create predictable bonding surfaces for adhesives and coatings, and provide complex and accurate part-marking without functional damage or the use of chemicals or stencils. In addition, the technology can be used to allow surface ablation of carbon fibre reinforced polymer without damaging the carbon fibres, only removing the resin between the fibres to increase bonding areas without leaving contamination.
Find Out More
You can find out more about the capabilities, advantages and applications for Texture Jet Ltd’s Electrochemical Jet Machining technologies, here.
If you would like to explore this technology further for potential applications, please get in touch with us by emailing contactus@esa-technology-broker.co.uk.