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The utility of this can't be understated. In space, no one can hear your call to AAA. Like everything else with 3D printing, the first things will be small and
by AaronFriel 12y ago
The utility of this can't be understated. In space, no one can hear your call to AAA. Like everything else with 3D printing, the first things will be small and I doubt NASA will forego incorporating redundancy in favor of sending more printers.
But I imagine the space (and cost) saving potential is huge here. I'm guessing the space station requires a number of redundant and common parts. That has a cost, a common part is more easily replaced, but has to be made to the lowest common denominator. Niche parts have to be carried in duplicate or triplicate, I'm sure. If someone could chime in, I'd like to know how much that's the case.
If my supposition is true, then this means fewer parts need share common components, and this means less weight and more room for everything else. Now if only they could 3D print better meals and more dignified sanitation for the brave members of the ISS, I'm sure they would appreciate that.
- robodale 12y agoAgreed. This first part is point 1 on an exponential curve of advancement in this area.
- krschultz 12y agoAll of that is very true, plus there is one more huge advantage. Everything in space is currently designed for launch loads. Strapping something to the top of a rocket puts massive stress on everything - even small things, so they have to be overbuilt relative to the loads they experience in space. Manufacturing things in space (3D printing or other technologies) allows building the minimum required part for space. Imagine how much smaller and lighter simple things like equipment mounts could be if they didn't have to survive launch.
- lucaspiller 12y ago> If someone could chime in, I'd like to know how much that's the case. I'd be interested to know this too. I'm guessing there aren't that many vital parts made from plastic though, unless they've secretly built the ISS out of Lego :D
- toomuchtodo 12y agoNext step would be a laser sintering device (additive metal manufacturing). Floating powder might be a problem, but could be solved with rotating the device to use centripetal force to hold the powder against a surface during the process.
- eurleif 12y agoSince we're talking about space, I wonder if they could use cold welding... (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_welding https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_welding)
- toomuchtodo 12y agoMost definitely for larger pieces, but it isn't suited for precision welding applications, or complex structures as selective laser sintering would be.
- Someone 12y agoI doubt bringing fine metal powder to the ISS is a good idea. Any powder that escapes (and escape it will) will end up everywhere, and can short out electronics. Breathing it in also isn't that healthy.
- dognotdog 12y agoIndeed, the toxicity of the metal powders is one of the major issues with laser sintering metal, and real care must be taken not to ingest it. The reason we can deal with it on earth is that the metal falls down very quickly, not lingering in the air to be breathed in. Cleaning laser sintering machines typically requires protective gear, though.
- gbrown 12y agoPossible stupid question: couldn't it be done outside? The machine is autonomous anyway...
- cryptophreak 12y ago> The utility of this can't be understated. It can be, actually, and quite easily. “This is not that useful.” See, I’ve done it. You mean that it can’t be overstated.
- mey 12y agoThis will cure cancer.