3D printer to be sent to the ISS in August

[u9y42]

It will still undergo a few more tests aboard the space station, after which a permanent printer will be installed up there.

By the way, I want one too; this plus blender would be very cool. Anyone with a 3d printer want to print its components and ship them to me?

http://rt.com/news/165840-3d-printer-manufacturing-space/

3D printers use a unique technique called extrusion additive manufacturing, which builds objects layer by layer out of polymers, metals, and other raw materials. The technology means objects can actually be manufactured in space, meaning the need to launch components from Earth would be much reduced – making space exploration much cheaper and more efficient.

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[joshraban76]

I was a researcher about 3D printing from long time ago, and as a mechanical engineer, it got my interest.

There is a huge investment put into this new technology, even to be used in Army.

So, it's really normal to be sent to ISS in August.

This new technology will change the world, it's just new like bitcoins.

[Tzupy]

I have some doubts that it will work properly in micro-gravity.

[u9y42]

I have some doubts that it will work properly in micro-gravity.

Well, part of the reason for the further tests is precisely to find out; it's not a final version of the printer yet, it seems. But the company that had been working on the printer had help from NASA so, as much as possible, it should be up to the task.

[joshraban76]

I have some doubts that it will work properly in micro-gravity.

May I know why, I'm curious ?

[u9y42]

I have some doubts that it will work properly in micro-gravity.

May I know why, I'm curious ?

I don't know if this is what Tzupy was talking about, but perhaps along the lines of what a commenter on the site mentioned, the reduced gravity would require the printing process to be modified to ensure no defects were introduced into the printed objects. And maybe these modifications would require additional material or energy, making the process less efficient. Still, I'm pretty sure actually sending replacement parts to the ISS would require far more resources than simply printing them aboard directly.

[joshraban76]

I have some doubts that it will work properly in micro-gravity.

May I know why, I'm curious ?

I don't know if this is what Tzupy was talking about, but perhaps along the lines of what a commenter on the site mentioned, the reduced gravity would require the printing process to be modified to ensure no defects were introduced into the printed objects. And maybe these modifications would require additional material or energy, making the process less efficient. Still, I'm pretty sure actually sending replacement parts to the ISS would require far more resources than simply printing them aboard directly.

If it's only about speed, it can be adjusted via the motor's rpm.

[DrG]

Oh noes!  They're going to be printing guns in outer space!!!

Seriously, I wonder what micro gravity will do to the layering.

[tinof]

The cost for producing using 3d printer is still way too high.

[joshraban76]

Oh noes!  They're going to be printing guns in outer space!!!

Seriously, I wonder what micro gravity will do to the layering.

This is a good question, for sure it will affect the layering in a way or another.

I'm waiting to see how will this work, as I like the 3D printing field.

[Justine]

Oh noes!  They're going to be printing guns in outer space!!!

Seriously, I wonder what micro gravity will do to the layering.

This is a good question, for sure it will affect the layering in a way or another.

I'm waiting to see how will this work, as I like the 3D printing field.

What do people do with 3D printer?

Is there a commercial use for it?

[joshraban76]

Oh noes!  They're going to be printing guns in outer space!!!

Seriously, I wonder what micro gravity will do to the layering.

This is a good question, for sure it will affect the layering in a way or another.

I'm waiting to see how will this work, as I like the 3D printing field.

What do people do with 3D printer?

Is there a commercial use for it?

It's used in many applications, and yes, commercial ones, latest applications, was guns, which really killed people.

You can use it to make toys, demonstration of a product you have 3D modeled on PC, .... etc.

Your imagination is the only limit.

[jbrnt]

They should have a 3d printer on board the ISS. It will be useful for printing spare parts when things get broken. An advanced 3d printer could print circuit boards too. I think 3d printers will play a key role in building stations on the moon or other planets.

[Spendulus]

They should have a 3d printer on board the ISS. It will be useful for printing spare parts when things get broken. An advanced 3d printer could print circuit boards too. I think 3d printers will play a key role in building stations on the moon or other planets.

So..let's reduce this to essentials.

In the past, NASA drove innovation, creating wonders such as integrated circuits.

In the present, hackers and makers create an entire industry called "3d printing", mainstream is just starting to catch on, and NASA gets on board five years late.

Way to go, Hackers and Makers!

[Spendulus]

What do people do with 3D printer?

Is there a commercial use for it?

Umm....last week...let's see, I made..

Bottle caps, parts racks, knobs with bolt insert, drone camera gimbal parts, water hose nozzles, samsung phone case.

Plastic junk, basically.  The sort of things that stores are full of.

[Globb0]

They are looking at if you could print out the parts to make a moon base, using the raw materials of the moon dust.

3d printing is also very exciting for long space missions where you cant take a spare everything.

I wonder if someone will breakthrough and make 3d printable circuits to print into the output models and make them even more functional.

[Balthazar]

Is it possible to print a death star? Using this device, I mean?

[Spendulus]

They are looking at if you could print out the parts to make a moon base, using the raw materials of the moon dust.

3d printing is also very exciting for long space missions where you cant take a spare everything.

I wonder if someone will breakthrough and make 3d printable circuits to print into the output models and make them even more functional.

Yes, fractions of the moon dust are usable as feedstocks for 3d printing.  However, most of the thinking on this subject is fairly primitive, hovering around things like can we make moon houses, roads, brick, etc.

3d printable circuits.  No.  Can't make them.  Maybe certain sensors.  For example, make a rod, a spiral and a pointer and you pretty much have an uncalibrated thermometer.  Calibrate later by engraving marks in the stick.

The big win would be to print on the moon an engine that ran on solar energy.  Would have to be a air cycle engine, in turn that means it would need something of a working gas, slight pressure vessel, mirror.

[Globb0]

Yes but they deal in the impossible today. So maybe one day circuits then BOOM technology explosion.

[leezay]

Mass production technology will still most like to dominate the market for the foreseeable future.


3d printer may be good for prototyping and small market item.