Development of a Cost-Effective Center of Gravity Measurement Tool for Satellite Components Using 3D Printing

The center of gravity (CG) of a satellite is a crucial parameter, as it directly influences both satellite launch and control. Satellites are composed of numerous components, each with its own unique CG, and the combined CG of these components affects the overall satellite CG. Therefore, it is essential to validate the CG of 3D models, either created by engineers or provided by component manufacturers, against the actual CG of the components. This paper discusses the development of a CG measuring tool using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer and commercially available components to measure the CG of satellite parts. The tool is then used to validate the CG of the 3D model against the actual center of gravity. The CG measuring tool has a maximum load capacity of 30 kg, with a weighing accuracy of ± 3 grams and a CG measurement accuracy of ± 0.3 mm. After measuring the CG of several satellite components, significant deviations were observed between the 3D model's CG and the actual CG. For instance, in the case of the magnetometer, a deviation of 8.9 mm was found along the z-axis.