XMAKE Empower Cornell Rocketry Team with Titanium 3D Printing Rockets for NASA Competition

Author: Frank Lee
Published: 03/31/2025
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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.

The Titanium Revolution: Redefining Aerospace Manufacturing

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.”

XMAKE’s Digital Ecosystem: From CAD to Flight in 68 Hours

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)

Titanium’s Advantages Over Aluminum in Aerospace Applications

Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Ti-6Al-4V: 900MPa tensile strength at 4.43g/cm³
Aluminum: 275MPa at 2.7g/cm³

Thermal Performance

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

3D Printing vs. Conventional Manufacturing: Key Metrics

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 Long-Term Commitment to Student Innovation

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

Ivan Ruan’s Vision for Aerospace Innovation

“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.

XMAKE

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.