Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524591
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JULY 2024 7 COMMERCIAL MCAST SBOR AEK - 3D-printed kevlar shields revolutionise repair rechniques for aerospace THE SBORAEK (Smart Ballis- tic Optimization for Repairing of Aerospace Exostructures using 3D-printed Kevlar) is set to rev- olutionise repair procedures for aerospace structures. Led by Dr Leonardo Barilaro, Senior Lec- turer in Aerospace Engineering at the Malta College of Arts, Sci- ence, and Technology (MCAST), the project is funded by the Malta Council for Science & Technolo- gy through the FUSION—Tech- nology Development Programme LITE. Inspired by Börek, a savoury traditional Turkish pastry made with thin, flaky yufka dough (like- ly from the Turkic word "bur", meaning "to twist"), the project's acronym reflects the smart meth- odology used to create layered structures. The SBORAEK shields utilise an innovative 3D printing method using continuous aramid fibre materials like Kevlar® and carbon fibre. Maintaining the structural in- tegrity of aircraft and spacecraft is paramount for safety. Current repair methods can be time-con- suming and expensive, especially for damage caused by high-energy impacts from micrometeoroids or space debris. SBORAEK proposes a novel solution using 3D printing technology to create custom re- pair patches. This project, which is also sup- ported by MCAST's Institute of Engineering and Transport (IET), holds the potential to minimize downtime and repair costs through on-site repairs, achieve superior customisation that reduces wasted materials and weight, improve overall re- pairability, and find applications beyond traditional aviation in the modules of the International Space Station and future space- craft. The core of SBORAEK lies in its three main goals: developing a method to optimise the design of 3D-printed shields for superi- or ballistic performance, creat- ing custom repair patches using 3D-printed continuous aramid fibres combined with other ma- terials for enhanced functionali- ty, and ultimately reducing MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Over- haul) time by streamlining the re- pair process. The project was presented at several international occasions, including the International As- tronautical Congress 2023 (Baku, Azerbaijan), the AIDAA 2023 conference (Padua, Italy), and Khalifa University (Abu Dhabi, UAE). SBORAEK culminated in a se- ries of tests conducted in col- laboration with Thiot Ingenierie (France), their Hypervelocity Im- pact facility features a Light-Gas Gun, which was used to assess the ballistic performance of 3D-print- ed Kevlar shields designed for aer- ospace applications. SBORAEK's success hinges on the collaboration between MCAST, CISAS of the University of Padova (Italy), and Skyup Acad- emy (Italy). This combined ex- pertise in aerospace engineering, materials science, innovative sim- ulations, and 3D printing technol- ogy paves the way for a significant advancement in aerospace repair. MCAST's Institute of Engineer- ing and Transport (IET) offers a wide range of aviation educational programmes of study. Applicants interested in launching or advanc- ing their studies within this sector can download the MCAST pro- spectus and apply online via the College website. For more info, visit the SBORAEK website - mcast.edu.mt/sboraek SBORAEK Team