Space Craft Parts - 3D Printing
Lately at Smarter Technology, we’ve been blogging about the 3D printers that seem to be the hottest tech trend here on Earth. Now, a new company hopes to bring this technology to space, with orbiting 3D printers that churn out inexpensive parts for space stations, satellites and more. The company, called Made in Space, hopes to launch 3D printers into space, where they could save time and increase the efficiency of aeronautical research. During a conference entitled “Space Manufacturing 14: Critical Technologies for Space Settlement,” held at NASA’s research center in Ames, Calif., the company discussed its ideas and plans. "It makes perfect sense that we should build everything for space, in space," said Jason Dunn, one of the founders of Made in Space. Dunn explained that products made in space would not need to withstand the g-forces and vibrations produced during launches from Earth.
Producing 3D parts in space
Last week we mentioned Made In Space's achievement of testing two commercial 3D printers in a simulated weightless environment. But we wondered which 3D printers were used, as the material we saw did not specify the printer involved - only that one of the printers originated from 3D Systems. Today we see a press release from 3D Systems that says: 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) announced today that its affordable BfB™ 3000 3D printer successfully completed two zero-gravity test flights in partnership with MADE IN SPACE, a start-up dedicated to providing solutions for manufacturing in outer space. So, the mystery 3D printer was the very solid BFB 3000!
Made In Space: Update
We’re proud to announce that our affordable BFB™ 3000 successfully completed two zero-gravity test flights in partnership with MADE IN SPACE , a startup dedicated to providing solutions for manufacturing in outer space. MADE IN SPACE believes that the advantages of 3D printing make it the perfect system for use in outer space. “3D printing and in-space manufacturing will dramatically change the way we look at space exploration, commercialization, and mission design today,” said Aaron Kemmer, CEO and Co-Founder of MADE IN SPACE. “The possibilities range from building on-demand parts for human missions to building large space habitats that are optimized for space.” MADE IN SPACE plans additional zero-gravity and suborbital testing over the next twelve months.
MADE IN SPACE
EBF3: Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication - Fabbaloo Blog - Fabbaloo
Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication is yet another approach for 3D printing, this time developed by the rocket scientists at NASA. They have good reasons for developing EBF3: to save weight on cargo flights to the International Space Station. You can imagine the hefty pile of spare parts that must be carried up yonder and stored somewhere inside a cardboard box in the attic of the ISS. Why carry and store parts when you could print them whenever you need them? EBF3 is straightforward to understand.
Printing Power Supplies
Space Craft Parts - 3D Printing ☆ Team Curated