Recently, Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. showcased its Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) product at the 11th TCT Asia 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Expo.

At the exhibition site, the Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) workstation “printed” component after component using Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) technology, vividly demonstrating the equipment's exceptional performance in manufacturing complex structures.

This equipment represents a new, market-driven upgrade developed jointly by Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. and the Institute for the Development and Quality, Macau to meet market demands. Over 20 products manufactured using this technology were also unveiled simultaneously, fully demonstrating the broad application prospects of Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) technology in high-end manufacturing. By leveraging new equipment, new materials, and new technologies, it fosters new productive forces, pioneering new directions for the processing and manufacturing of high-performance large-scale metal components in aviation, aerospace, marine, and other fields.

AFSD technology is based on Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD), whose core principle involves generating heat through friction between a rotating tool head and metal raw material at temperatures below the material's melting point. This process softens the material to a plastic state, enabling layer-by-layer deposition and compaction onto the substrate to form a “dense” three-dimensional structure.

As a derivative technology of Friction Stir Welding (FSW), AFSD technology possesses core advantages. Large-scale, high-performance metal components fabricated using this technology exhibit more stable forming quality, superior product performance, and better cost control. Compared to traditional fusion welding, AFSD technology reduces carbon emissions by over 40%, aligning more closely with the characteristics of green manufacturing.

AFSD technology enables the production of large structural components such as satellite adapters and rocket tank bottoms, achieving weight reduction and efficiency gains for large structural parts while lowering production costs and cycle times. This significantly enhances product quality and reliability. A 3.35-meter diameter carrier rocket tank bottom manufactured using this technology is also on display at the site.

In the maritime sector, AFSD technology also demonstrates significant application potential. Key structural components such as hulls and propellers for large vessels manufactured using this technology exhibit excellent efficiency and durability, enhancing navigation performance.

Additionally, AFSD technology can repair components, not only minimizing the heat-affected zone during the repair process but also extending the service life of critical parts. Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. is also the first domestic enterprise to master continuous rod-feeding AFSD technology, enabling raw material loading without stopping equipment operation, thereby further enhancing efficiency.

It is reported that Aerospace Engineering Equipment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. showcased over 20 products at TCT Asia, including satellite adapters, launch vehicle fuel tank bottoms, and unmanned vessel hulls. This fully demonstrates the broad application prospects of Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) in high-end manufacturing. and showcased the company's significant achievements in the field of Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) from multiple perspectives.