XMAKE Empowers Cornell Rocketry Team with 3D Printing Titanium Components for NASA Competition
As the global leader in online digital manufacturing, we at XMAKE are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Cornell Rocketry Team (CRT) to deliver advanced titanium components for their record-breaking “Icarus-III” hybrid rocket. By leveraging our industrial-grade 3D printing expertise, CRT will showcase these innovations at the 2025 NASA Student Launch Competition in Midland, Texas, marking a pivotal moment in student-driven aerospace innovation.
CRT’s 15-foot hybrid rocket and regenerative-cooled liquid engine feature XMAKE’s 3D printing titanium parts, including:
- Monolithic Boat Tail: Single-piece Ti-6Al-4V structure consolidating 17 traditionally machined components
- Bionic Cooling Channels: Lattice architecture achieving 65% thermal efficiency improvement
- Precision Nozzle: Complex geometry with ±0.012″ (±0.3mm) tolerance for oxidizer compatibility
“XMAKE’s digital manufacturing platform let us rethink aerospace design from the ground up,” said
Caleb Farrelly, CRT Team Lead . “Their online tools for iterative prototyping and titanium 3D printing cut weight by 42% while maintaining strength, giving us a decisive edge in the competition.”
| Component | Technology | Specifications |
| Boat Tail | SLM 3D Printing | 7.2 lbs (Ti-6Al-4V) |
| Cooling Channels | DMLS | 0.8mm wall thickness |
| Surface Finish | Bead Blasting | Ra 6.3μm |
| Production Time | XMAKE Online Portal | 68 hours (8.5x faster) |
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
- Ti-6Al-4V: 900MPa tensile strength at 4.43g/cm³
- Aluminum: 275MPa at 2.7g/cm³
- 96% reduction in thermal conductivity (6.7W/m·K vs. 167W/m·K)
- Oxidation resistance up to 600°C
Cost Efficiency
- 85% material utilization vs. 35% for traditional machining
| Parameter | Conventional Aluminum | XMAKE Titanium Solution |
| Weight | 12.4 lbs | 7.2 lbs (-42%) |
| Yield Strength | 40 ksi | 120 ksi (+200%) |
| Fatigue Life | 500k cycles | 1.2M cycles (+140%) |
| Production Cost | $23,000 | $12,200 (-47%) |
XMAKE’s support includes:
- First-Part Sponsorship: Full funding for the titanium boat tail prototype
- Engineering Mentorship: 24-hour DFM feedback via XMAKE’s online platform
“CRT’s work proves that digital manufacturing isn’t just about making parts—it’s about empowering the next generation of aerospace leaders,” said
Ivan Ruan, XMAKE’s CEO. “By providing student teams with access to industrial-grade titanium 3D printing, we’re building a pipeline of innovators who will redefine space exploration.”
On XMAKE’s future partnership, Ruan added: “We’re committed to fostering long-term collaboration with CRT. Our goal is to create an ecosystem where academic ingenuity meets industrial expertise, driving breakthroughs that benefit both education and the aerospace industry.”
About Cornell Rocketry Team
Founded in 2002, CRT s Cornell University’s largest student engineering organization, dedicated to advancing aerospace technology through hands-on innovation. Their rockets have reached altitudes of 12,000 feet, and their liquid engines generate over 3,000N of thrust. In 2023, CRT placed third in the prestigious International Rocketry Competition, solidifying their reputation as a force in student-led aerospace engineering.
In the realm of digital manufacturing, XMAKE stands at the forefront of revolutionizing the industry. With the slogan “Cloud-Powered Innovation,” XMAKE is not just a platform but a harbinger of the future of manufacturing. It exemplifies the perfect amalgamation of cloud computing power with the demands of the manufacturing sector. Our story begins with a simple yet profound vision—to reform traditional manufacturing through digital means, enhancing efficiency and solving the industry’s most persistent pain points.
- Advanced Technology: XMAKE uses state-of-the-art CNC machines that ensure high precision and consistency in every part produced.
- Experienced Team: With a team of experienced engineers and machinists, XMAKE can handle complex projects and provide expert advice on material selection and design optimization.
- Quality Assurance: XMAKE has a rigorous quality control process that ensures every part meets the highest standards of quality and reliability.
- Customization: XMAKE offers customized CNC machining solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of your application.
- Fast Turnaround: XMAKE is committed to delivering parts on time, helping you keep your projects on schedule.
