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AFAIK one can't get something that competes with high strength carbon fiber tanks made in a 3D printer. You need continuous long fiber placement, the opposite o
by Gravityloss 9y ago
AFAIK one can't get something that competes with high strength carbon fiber tanks made in a 3D printer. You need continuous long fiber placement, the opposite of "a little material here and there" 3D printing.
Now, printing might work for some other materials than carbon with similar or even higher strength to weight ratio. But AFAIK unproven so far. Would be a whole separate science project with lots of other applications than rockets.
Also, looks like the engine had some machining work done, maybe after the laser sintering aka 3D printing part, since the surface was smooth and shiny.
- gnode 9y agoLarge carbon fibre tanks are arguably 3D printed. They're made with a CNC machine that winds carbon fibre tow onto the tank. A larger challenge would probably be to cheaply produce the raw carbon fibre on Mars.
- Gravityloss 9y agoThat's a winding machine, not a 3D printer. But yes, if that's what's meant, it's completely a no brainer. Nobody's hand winding tanks or airliner fuselages.