Agile Ultrasonics pioneers space‑ready composite welding with Central State University as collaborator
Above: Chris Skocik, Agile Ultrasonics engineering manager, is loading the company’s vacuum chamber in preparation for an ultrasonic weld trial joining CFRTP at the company’s facility in Columbus, Ohio. Source | Agile Ultrasonics
Central State University celebrates a groundbreaking leap in space manufacturing, led by Agile Ultrasonics, as chronicled by Composites World (compositesworld.com). Working under the “Structural Materials Joining in Space” initiative funded by the Ohio Federal Research Network, Agile Ultronics has demonstrated continuous ultrasonic welding (CUW) of high-performance thermoplastic composites — without relying on energy directors or film inserts — perfectly suited for the vacuum and extreme temperature swings of space (ohiofrn.org).
Agile has built a custom vacuum chamber to replicate space conditions, cycling from –310 °F to +248 °F, with in-weld thermal sensors to analyze temperature–strength relationships — crucial data for in-situ assembly and repairs beyond Earth (ohiofrn.org). Their robot‑agnostic end‑effector, deployable with standard industrial robots, tacks, compacts, and welds composites — ideal for lunar habitats or satellite structures assembled in orbit (ohiofrn.org).
This cutting-edge work is strengthened by Agile’s partnerships with NASA, the U.S. Air Force, Ohio universities, including Central State University, and the Air Force Research Laboratory — creating a robust ecosystem for tech transfer and real-world application (ohiofrn.org). By eliminating added materials like adhesives and inserts, CUW offers lighter, cleaner, and more versatile manufacturing solutions for space and terrestrial aerospace alike (ohiofrn.org).
Agile Ultrasonics is forging a new frontier in space-ready manufacturing — developing compact, automated CUW systems capable of welding thermoplastic composites in space conditions. Its achievements, driven by multi-institutional collaboration and funded through Ohio’s innovation initiatives, bring us closer to autonomous spacecraft construction, in-orbit servicing, and beyond. Central State University proudly stands alongside this Ohio-based effort, showcasing how regional partnerships fuel global breakthroughs.
Read more via Composites World: https://www.compositesworld.com/news/agile-ultrasonics-breaks-new-ground-for-ultrasonic-composites-welding-in-space-manufacturing.
