Nikon SLM Solutions and ArianeGroup have entered a strategic partnership to support the production, with exclusive initial machine delivery, of ultra-large-scale components over 1 cubic meter, using metal additive manufacturing via powder bed fusion. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies and sets a new benchmark in the aerospace and defense sectors.
Credit: Nikon SLM Solutions
With this partnership, Nikon SLM Solutions will keep demonstrating advanced additive manufacturing technology to highly complex, large-format components needing to meet stringent quality and productivity requirements, unlocking new possibilities in functional integration and performance optimization.
The powder bed fusion technology employed for this ultra-large-format metal 3D printing ensures precise layering of high-performance materials, enabling the production of geometrically complex parts at previously unattainable scales.
“Ariane Group is a key global player in the space industry. Our collaboration with ArianeGroup demonstrates the effectiveness of our technology and shows how Nikon SLM’s innovations can meet the demanding needs of strategic, high-tech customer.” — Julien Frugier, Sales Manager, Nikon SLM Solutions
This partnership is a clear demonstration of how additive manufacturing continues to evolve as a foundational tool for the space industry. By minimizing assembly needs and enabling lightweight, high-performance components, Nikon SLM Solutions’ technology provides ArianeGroup new opportunities to enhance lead time and reduce costs on complex, ultra-large-scale hardware for liquid propulsion critical applications.
About ArianeGroup
ArianeGroup is an industrial company delivering critical missions for the space and defence sectors. With 8,300 highly qualified employees in France and Germany, ArianeGroup has unique expertise in access to space, covering the full spectrum of civil and military launch systems, including design, development, manufacturing, integration, flight preparation, operational readiness and end-of-life decommissioning. ArianeGroup is lead contractor for the Ariane 6 European launcher for the European Space Agency (ESA), and for the French oceanic deterrent force M51 strategic missile for the French Defence Armament Procurement Agency (DGA).
Internationally recognised for its innovative, competitive solutions, ArianeGroup has expertise in state-of-the-art technologies, from the chemistry of propellants and composite materials, to liquid, solid and electric space propulsion systems. ArianeGroup also offers a broad range of space, defence and industrial equipment and services, both individually and together with its subsidiaries Sodern, Pyroalliance, Nuclétudes and APP.
In the field of space launchers, ArianeGroup’s subsidiary Arianespace markets Ariane 6, and its subsidiary MaiaSpace develops and markets the reusable launcher Maia.
ArianeGroup, equally owned by Airbus and Safran, posted consolidated revenues of €2.5 billion in 2024.