The GrabCAD Community was invited to use 3D printing to rethink the design of a CubeSat, a standardised small satellite frame originally developed to allow university students to build low-cost satellites for research and education purposes. The goal was to design CubeSat structures that would be faster and easier to manufacture, and pack more utility into the small volume that CubeSat designers had to work with.
Over 200 entries were submitted from all engineering disciplines and geographic locations. The submissions demonstrate the ability of additive manufacturing to vastly improve design over traditional manufacturing methods.
Scott Sevcik, business development manager for aerospace and defence at Stratasys, said: "There were a number of very creative approaches to redesigning the satellite structure, and it was great to see several of the entries consolidate the build down from 50 to two or as few as one part. That highlights one of the most significant benefits of 3D printing a structure."
First place was awarded to Paolo Minetola, from Italy, for his entry FoldSat, a design that uses geometries only possible with 3D printing. It comprises two parts, a base and a cover that have three faces that snap together and has one hinged face allowing access to the inside of the cube.
Entries were judged by experts from the aerospace and 3D printing industry, based on technical requirements including feasibility, production, value and being optimised for additive manufacturing.
Visit the GrabCAD CubeSat Challenge results page to view the winning designs.
