Manufacture of the Transceiver Housing for an Active Phased Array Antenna with Built-In Cooling Channels by Selective Laser Melting

Abstract

A cooled transceiver housing of an active phased array antenna is produced by 3D printing from aluminum, on the basis of selective laser melting (SLM). The housing walls contain cooling channels, whose geometry ensures effective heat transfer from the active electronic components of the transceiver and also permits the manufacture of high-quality samples on existing 3D printing systems and facilitates cleaning of the channels after printing. The housing is made of AlSi10Mg aluminum, with an acceptable content of closed pores (no more than 1%). Its physicomechanical properties correspond to those of regular aluminum alloys used in the traditional manufacturing technology for such components. This housing may be used in advanced radar systems. The research permits recommendations for further development of the technology.