Elementum 3D, a developer of materials for additive manufacturing, has partnered with RPM Innovations, a provider of laser systems and manufacturing services, for the NASA-initiated Reactive Additive Manufacturing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (RAMFIRE) project.

The partnership aims to develop a 36" 3D-printed aluminum aerospike nozzle with enhanced efficiency and performance by leveraging Elementum 3D's A6061-RAM2 aluminum alloy. RPM Innovations aided the production with its large-format LP-DED process, which uses a focused energy source to create 3D-printed parts with powder or wire feedstock. 

Analyst QuickTake: This news adds to a growing trend of AM companies increasing their activity across the aerospace and space exploration industries. In January, the company secured funding of USD 2,875,000 from America Makes to create material property datasets for additive manufacturing in the aerospace sector. In the same month, AddUp had partnered with Airbus Defence and Space to reportedly create and deliver the first metal 3D printer to the European Space Agency (ESA).