Nikon to Implement Space Strategy Fund at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Nikon Corporation (Nikon), known for its digital manufacturing and advanced selective laser melting (SLM) solutions, announced last week that it was selected as one of the organizations to implement the Space Strategy Fund (SSF) by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Nikon will work on the technology development theme “Innovative technology for lightweight, high-performance, and lower cost space transportation systems” in the SSF open call for FY2024. Nikon’s mission is to develop and demonstrate additive manufacturing for low-cost, short-lead-time precision parts for space applications, using its Nikon SLM Solutions NXG XII 600, organic R&D and new facilities in Japan.

Each organization participating in the SSF will lead in its own area of technological expertise, leveraging research from Japanese universities and companies. Specifically, they will use Japan’s first large-scale metal 3D additive manufacturing system platform, a system that Nikon claims “will capture the global market.”

Nikon’s SLM Solutions NXG XII 600 that it will use for the SSF project

The technology development theme’s purpose is to establish a base technology that achieves innovations in molding processes and enhanced parts. Along with that, they aim to implement wider applications of metal additive manufacturing for large-scale structures, as well as parts for space transportation systems. The project description also mentions achieving innovation using carbon fiber-reinforced plastics for wider applications.