Case Study: German Aerospace Center (DLR) accelerates Mars robot prototyping with Stratasys 3D printing

German Aerospace Center (DLR) 3D prints TransRoPorter prototype with Stratasys for Mars exploration

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) needed to produce a fully-functional prototype of its TransRoPorter, a complex exploration robot designed for unmanned missions to Mars. The challenge was to create a robust prototype capable of withstanding rigorous testing under extreme simulated conditions without the high costs and complexity of traditional metal manufacturing methods. They partnered with vendor Stratasys to utilize its FDM 3D printing technology.

Stratasys implemented a solution using its Fortus 900mc Production 3D printer and high-performance ASA thermoplastic material. This allowed DLR to 3D print the large, strong components needed for the prototype, which provided an exact fit for all the internal technology and mounting points. The result was a least expensive, fastest, and most elegant solution that delivered a fully-functional prototype with no distortion, delighting everyone involved and successfully advancing the space exploration project.

German Aerospace Center (DLR)