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GRADEL

CORE BUSINESS

Engineering company, technology integrator and special purpose machine developer.

GRADEL specializes in developing complex systems for the space market and offers a complete range of Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) for handling, assembling, testing and transporting satellites. These systems are built to precise specifications using specialized materials to ensure cleanliness, magnetic compatibility, and thermal compatibility.

GRADEL has also ventured into sustainable lightweight structures and developed the Gradel Robotic Additive Manufacturing process (GRAM). GRAM is an endless filament wet winding process enabling the manufacturing of complex and large 3D structures (e.g. dispensers for large satellites). Weight savings up to 70% have been proved without compromising stiffness, strength or eigen frequency requirements.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

MGSE:

Transport Containers for Satellites, Multipurpose Trolleys for satellites, fully automated with AGV- systems, Hoisting Devices for horizontal and vertical lifting of satellites, Integration Stands, automatized 0g supports for manufacturing, equipment for Antenna Test Facilities and Thermal Vacuum Chambers.

LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURES:

Simulation driven Engineering, Robotic & Multi-Material lightweight manufacturing expertise according to customer request using GRAM, a qualified process for space applications. Considering all load cases to fit at best into the given available design space, using AI powered software algorithms for manufacturing structural parts from few cm up to several meters. GRAM is the lightest possible technology for building parts. We generate bionic structures with integrated functions by design.

TECHNICAL MEANS

Engineering office for:

  • MGSE and special purpose equipment
  • GRAM ultra-lightweight structures
  • with more than 60 engineers in total in multiple disciplines using the following Software:

SOLIDWORKS, FEMAP, NASTRAN, MATLAB, SIMULINK,

SEE ELECTRICAL, BECKHOFF, SIEMENS;

GRAM-AI specific

software for Lightweight (engineering& manufacturing)

 

2 Assembly and test workshops

  • 1200 m² x 10 m height, crane capability: 2 times 10 t
  • Production facility for composite lightweight structures 650 m²:
    • 5x robot equipped with GRAM applicator on a 10m long x-axis
    • curing oven of 1 and 12 m3
    • Grey room

MAIN CUSTOMERS

Airbus Defense & Space, Ariane Group, ESA, OHB Systems, Thales Alenia Space.

MAJOR SPACE PROJECTS

Gradel has or is participating with its space products for different customers in the following programs:

  • Transport Container for ONESAT AIRBUS
  • Compact Antenna Test Range OHB
  • SMART Multipurpose Trolley TAS
  • Portable Antenna Measurement ESA
  • Communication
  • Alphabus, EDRS, Electra, Eurostar Neo, Neosat, SGEO, SES17, Heinrich Hertz, Space Inspire, OneSat

The qualification process of GRAM has been realised between 2020 and 2024 in collaboration with ESA, Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and OHB Systems.

For each LSI had been developed and fully tested (-150°C / +180°C, mechanical, vibration, TVAC and fatigue test included multiple use-case projects are under development for Space and Defense applications.

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