3-D printed horn antennas and components performance for space and telecommunications

In this work, a study of the performance of several antennas and components, manufactured using an accurate stereolithography 3D printer and resin for maximum accuracy and detail, is carried out. Electroless plating of the components to cover the pieces with a thick copper layer to improve their mec...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Teniente Vallinas, Jorge, Iriarte Galarregui, Juan Carlos, Caballero Nagore, Rubén, Valcázar Berdofe, Daniel, Goñi, Mikel, Martínez, Aitor
Format: article
Status:Versión aceptada para publicación
Publication Date:2018
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repository:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/47384
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/47384
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Additive manufacturing
Electroless plating
Horn antenna
Surface roughness
Description
Summary:In this work, a study of the performance of several antennas and components, manufactured using an accurate stereolithography 3D printer and resin for maximum accuracy and detail, is carried out. Electroless plating of the components to cover the pieces with a thick copper layer to improve their mechanical resistance is undertaken. Several SatCom horn antennas and components are designed, manufactured, and tested. A detailed study of a spline horn antenna and a filter is covered. These results are compared to the metallic lathe manufactured versions. Conclusions are derived from these tests, which are useful to improve additive manufactured components in future versions.