Advanced Lattice Structures for Defense Applications

TETMET has developed an integrated design software and robotic manufacturing toolchain to produce micro-welded steel lattice structures at industrial scale.

Lattice structures deliver the highest strength-to-weight ratio achievable with metallic materials. Until now, their adoption has remained largely academic due to the absence of automated, economical production methods.

TETMET’s proprietary Lattice Design Software (LDS) enables the generation of application-specific lattice architectures, optimized for real boundary conditions, load cases, and performance targets. Instead of generic geometries, TETMET designs engineered lattice finite elements tailored to each use case.

Production is enabled by Adaptive Spatial Lattice Manufacturing (ASLM), a novel manufacturing process combining six-axis industrial robotics, machine vision, and laser welding. ASLM allows precise, repeatable fabrication of complex 3D lattice structures using standard industrial equipment. The technology currently operates with stainless steel 316L, with expansion to additional materials underway.

Key benefits

• Significant weight reduction: up to 74% in automotive applications and up to 60% in defense and space

• Built-in material properties, including impact absorption and vibration damping

• Scalable and robust process based on off-the-shelf industrial components

• Cost-efficient production, leveraging affordable raw materials and very low energy consumption

Main applications

• Defense & aerospace: structural components for drones and aircraft, cabin interiors, shock- and vibration-sensitive structures

• Space: secondary structures for launchers and satellites

• Automotive: body-in-white components and crash structures (energy absorption)

• Naval: lightweight equipment and furniture for upper-deck installations

• Industrial: replacement of complex assemblies, molded parts, and difficult-to-machine geometries