3 ms·

> 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 mad

> 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 ago
Next 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 ago
  Since 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 ago
    Most definitely for larger pieces, but it isn't suited for precision welding applications, or complex structures as selective laser sintering would be.
- Someone 12y ago
  I 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 ago
    Indeed, 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 ago
    Possible stupid question: couldn't it be done outside? The machine is autonomous anyway...
    - Filligree 12y ago
      (Disclaimer: I enjoy playing KSP.) Then any escaped "fine metal powder" could turn into a 10,000 km/h sandblast for the next satellite over. It'd probably be fine for the ISS, since it's in a low enough orbit that dust should deorbit quickly, but you'd still have the basic issue of logistics. I can't comment on how convenient it'd be to build and operate a 3D printer in hard vacuum, beyond "not very".

toomuchtodo 12y ago

Next 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 ago
Since 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 ago
  Most definitely for larger pieces, but it isn't suited for precision welding applications, or complex structures as selective laser sintering would be.
Someone 12y ago
I 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 ago
  Indeed, 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 ago
  Possible stupid question: couldn't it be done outside? The machine is autonomous anyway...
  - Filligree 12y ago
    (Disclaimer: I enjoy playing KSP.) Then any escaped "fine metal powder" could turn into a 10,000 km/h sandblast for the next satellite over. It'd probably be fine for the ISS, since it's in a low enough orbit that dust should deorbit quickly, but you'd still have the basic issue of logistics. I can't comment on how convenient it'd be to build and operate a 3D printer in hard vacuum, beyond "not very".