Picture: Eplus3D & INNOSPACE
South Korean aerospace company INNOSPACE is increasingly turning to metal additive manufacturing to produce key components for its launch vehicles more efficiently. Using machines from Eplus3D and the metal powder bed fusion (MPBF) process, the company has established an additive production line at its Hwaseong facility, which is now delivering its first parts for the HANBIT rocket series.
Production is carried out on three systems: a large-format EP-M450 and two EP-M300 machines. The EP-M450 is optimized for large structural components, while the two EP-M300 systems are used for producing precise, geometrically complex small parts. High-strength metal alloys are used to meet aerospace demands for weight optimization, thermal resistance, and dimensional accuracy.
To date, INNOSPACE has produced 13 critical components for the HANBIT launch vehicle, including oxidizer pumps for both the first and second stages, which contain rotating functional units. According to the company, MPBF technology enables targeted material usage and reduces production effort by up to 50% compared to conventional manufacturing, while also shortening lead times and improving process stability.
Manufacturing follows the ISO/ASTM 52941-20 standard, a recognized framework for metal additive manufacturing in aerospace, with the goal of transitioning from prototyping to certified serial production.
“By applying 3D printing technology, we expect to achieve part lightweighting that reduces rocket mass and increases payload capacity, allowing customers to transport more satellites at a lower cost. This will positively impact future revenue generation.” said Soojong Kim, founder and CEO of INNOSPACE.
The next step for INNOSPACE includes integrating data-driven quality assurance systems and further scaling its additive manufacturing processes. The company’s ongoing partnership with Eplus3D is expected to support continued process optimization and strengthen its competitiveness in the global small launch vehicle market.