Genesis of your product. why and for whom?

This 3D-printed sacrificial mandrel allows manufacturers across the construction, defense, and other industries to rapidly produce large composite ducts, vents, and tubes in a single part. The wash-away core is directly printed in any complex geometry using a unique water-breakable material.

Benefits for the final customers?

Lightweight composite ducts and vents allow for reduced fuel consumption for aircraft in general, enabling greater sustainability and reduced operational costs. In the case of this missile, using composite materials allows for high durability and the ability to withstand high pressure during flight.

The product : materials and processes

The Massivit 10000 additive manufacturing system was used to directly print this sacrificial mandrel at high speed, using Massivit''s water-breakable photopolymer material. Carbon fiber is laid up around the mandrel without having to split the part into many pieces. After a vacuum process is applied, the part is immersed in plain water, causing the inner mandrel to crumble away from the carbon skin.