Lumenium Uses Metal 3D Printing for Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is crucial for startups like Virginia-based Lumenium. It's essential to quickly iterate on part designs and features are important in staying competitive. Additive manufacturing allows Lumenium to meet specific requirements, such as high dimensional accuracy, strength under dynamic loads, and low thermal expansion; all while tackling complex part geometries such as internal cooling channels to improve engine performance. Lumenium can bring ths technology to their existing workspace for a quicker design iteration and functional prototyping.

THE CHALLENGE

For Lumenium, the ability to iterate quickly has a direct impact on time-to-market and engine performance. Currently, they use an in-house CNC machine and wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) to make prototype parts, but the process is relatively time consuming and costly. Lumenium is seeking a faster, more cost-effective approach to prototyping parts within the engine assembly. Parts within the IDAR engine must withstand the extreme heat and stress inherent to internal combustion engine operation. Each component must adhere to specific requirements—including high dimensional accuracy, strength under dynamic loads, and low thermal expansion. The weight of each part is an important consideration for overall power density and efficiency. Additive manufacturing allows Lumenium to meet these requirements and tackle complex part geometries—like internal cooling channels to improve engine performance. With the Studio System, Lumenium can bring this technology into their existing workspace for faster design iteration and functional prototyping.

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