|
|
|
News & information about the fast-moving world
of digital manufacturing, modeling & simulation
October 25, 2012
3D Printing Takes Off Into Orbit
A Silicon Valley startup has an out-of-this-world application for additive printing technology – literally. Made in Space, Inc. is developing 3D printing equipment that future space explorers could use to fabricate replacement parts during their journey. Current mission planning requires that crews bring any replacement parts or tools with them or, as in the case of the International Space Station, wait for a regular replenishment mission. Launches aren't practical for an unexpected small part or tool and become more problematic as missions depart Earth's orbit.
This is where additive manufacturing steps in to offer a possible solution. The technology, which creates objects by building up subsequent layers of materials as directed by CAD files, would allow astronauts to manufacture replacement parts on location, rather than on Earth prior to launch. Future space explorers could reserve valuable real estate on their shuttles for other supplies if they could rely on a 3D printer to make needed replacement parts. And while the technology is not quite on par with the Star Trek Replicator, it is a vast improvement over taking up vital shuttle space with a myriad of spare parts.
While the technology has great potential for future space missions, there are still roadblocks involved in transporting a 3D printer into space. Just like transporting replacement parts manufactured on Earth, the bulk of additive manufacturing infrastructure is considerable, and, as always, minimizing weight is vital for a shuttle to reach orbit. Furthermore, the 3D printer components need to be flight certified prior to launch. Finally, once the parts arrive at their extraterrestrial destination, they need to be assembled by a qualified team of engineers.
However, this does not address the physics of printing in space, which requires that the printers be adapted for null-gravity environments. Made in Space's solution involves extruding a polymer-based material through a nozzle, but it is debatable whether this is the optimal approach. Karen Taminger of NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia is working with a metal-printing technique involving an electron beam that acts as a soldering iron to melt metal wires before depositing the metal in layers. This method would be ideal for near-space applications, as the electron beam requires a vacuum, which, Taminger notes, you have for free in space.
Like Taminger, Made in Space aims to test their 3D printer at the International Space Station. But until much needed funding comes through, this adapted technology may make it into space for testing only.
Despite the limitations funding may pose, the Made in Space team remains optimistic. In a recent trip in a modified Boeing 727, they were able to print and use a wrench during eight minutes of weightlessness. With any luck, that won't be the last tool the team manufactures having slipped the surly bonds of earth.
Full Story at Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine
Discussion
There are 0 discussion items posted.
|
Join the Discussion |
RSS Feeds
Feeds by Content Type
Subscribe to All Content
May 23, 2013
- Rolls-Royce AE 3007 Powers First Flight of US Navy's Triton UAV
- Cyclone Power Technologies Signs MOU With McGill University
- GeckoSystems Signs $5M Joint Venture Contract
- MES Enhanced with SQL to Link Manufacturing and ERP
- Synopsys Plans Full Slate of Special Events at DAC 2013
- Survey Copter Flies to Stratasys for 3D Printing of UAV Systems
- Wohlers Report Reveals Growth in 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
- European Commission CoolEmAll Project Releases Prototypes
May 22, 2013
- NASA Calls For Phase II Visionary Advanced Concepts
- Lockheed Martin Conducts Warhead EMD Flight Test
- Honeywell Selects Teachers For Green Boot Camp
- Government Funds Star Tracker Image Sensor for ON Semiconductor
- NComputing Brings Desktop Virtualization to Citrix Users in Manufacturing
- Design Automation Conference to Present Design Yield Panel
- Synaptics Brings High Performance Touchscreens to Mainstream Electronics
May 21, 2013
- Siemens' Support For Diversity Through STEM Education is Recognized For 11th Straight Year
- Boston Micromachines Awarded Grant From NASA for Exoplanet Imaging Technology Development
- Interlink Electronics' Human-Machine Interface Solutions Ideal for Rugged Devices Market
- Qupiron, BirdBrain Bring Hummingbird Robotics Kit to Classrooms
- Apriso and LNS Research to Present on Improving Competitiveness
Most Read Features
- 3D Printing Falls into Gun Control Controversy
- GM Invests in HPC Center for Crash Test Simulations
- STEM Talks Take Root at NEF Regional Dialogues
- Boosting the Workforce, One Veteran at a Time
- Floodgates Open for the Industrial Internet
Most Read Off the Wire
- FIRST Appoints Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors
- Dell Laptops Come to Airbus Cockpits
- Stratasys 3D Printing Supports "Prometheus"
- CIMdata Completes 2013 PLM Market & Industry Forum
- Dassault Systèmes Acquires SIMPOE
- Intelligent Energy Leverages ANSYS for Hydrogen Fuel Cells
- SAP Expands Aerospace & Defense Portfolio
- Maker Faire Announces "Maker Week" in San Mateo County
- Autodesk and NetSuite Partner to Transform Manufacturing in the Cloud
- Digi-Key Supports Minnesota State Robotics Tournament
Most Read Blogs
Feature Articles
Understanding Fluid Flow in Microchannels
The ability to control fluid streams at microscale is of great importance in many domains such as biological processing, guiding chemical reactions, and creating structured materials. Recently, it has been discovered that placing pillars of different dimensions, and at different offsets, allows fluid transformations to “sculpt” fluid streams.
Read more...
Floodgates Open for the Industrial Internet
So far, the story surrounding the industrial Internet has been centered around GE, and their plans to infuse their factories with thousands of sensors that will bring big data to manufacturing. But after record-breaking floods from Hurricane Sandy took their toll on New York and New Jersey, environmental and civil engineers have found a new application for the Internet-connected sensor system.
Read more...
GM Invests in HPC Center for Crash Test Simulations
As the cloud becomes an increasingly attractive option for manufacturers with big needs in IT, scalable options such as outsourced data centers have become a must-have for many companies. But General Motors has taken a step in the opposite direction when its $130 million datacenter went online Monday in the suburb of Warren, Michigan.
Read more...
Short Takes
3D-Printed Airway Saves Life
May 23, 2013 |
In the wake of plastic gun stories, a unique use case for 3D printing helps demonstrate that the additive manufacturing technology's potential to save lives deserves its own place in the spotlight. Now, doctors at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor have combined medical expertise with 3D printing's flexibility to save a three-month old.
Read more...
Robotic Ants May Aid in Search and Rescue Missions
May 23, 2013 |
Researchers have been studying fire ants hoping to learn about their underground navigation skills. They want to apply their findings to making robots that will be able to assist in search and rescue missions for people trapped underground.
Read more...
MIT Improves Carbon-Fiber Composites
May 22, 2013 |
While advanced carbon-fiber composites have been used in the recent years, researchers are searching for materials that are even stronger and lighter. Composites made with carbon fibers coated with carbon nanotubes are being considered because they can be hundreds of times stronger than steel and only one-sixth the weight.
Read more...
NASA to 3D Print the Future of Food
May 22, 2013 |
NASA has awarded a $125,000 grant for a project intended to 3D print food for astronauts in space. The printer will mix together basic nutrients such as oil and protein powder to create the food. It will also allow the user to input their sex, age, and weight so that it can make the food based on the individual's own nutritional needs.
Read more...
Airbus Enters the Composite Class
May 17, 2013 |
This week, Airbus towed its newest airliner, the A350 XWB, out of its hangar and is poised to roll it into the spotlight of the upcoming Paris Air Show. The A350 XWB has been designed with the goal of surpassing the 787 in fuel efficiency and comfort, and has forgone metal for composite materials to make it happen.
Read more...
Sponsored Whitepapers
Big Data and Big Analytics for Product and Process Quality
03/20/2013 | SAS | This white paper examines how an enterprise-wide quality platform can turn existing data into substantial and sustainable revenue growth and cost savings for global manufacturers. The paper is based on the findings of the IW/SAS Enterprise Quality Survey completed by more than 400 manufacturing executives. The objectives of the survey were to determine concerns about quality among manufacturers; investigate the tools used to measure quality; and examine how using enterprise-wide analysis on quality data improves performance.
TATA Steel Automotive Engineering Depends on Univa
07/19/2011 | Univa | TATA Steel Automotive Engineering’s concern grew when open source Grid Engine support and development was discontinued by Oracle. Grid Engine is a business critical application in their environment. They recognized the likelihood that product enhancements and innovations would cease. Read how TATA Steel Automotive Engineering moved from a self-support solution to Univa Grid Engine. You can get more out of your environment and your budget with Univa Grid Engine.
Featured Events
- June 3, 2013
- June 04, 2013
Kingdom E-Government Summit
Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia
- June 4, 2013
- June 05, 2013
Oil and Gas Event
Accra,
Ghana
- June 5, 2013
- June 05, 2013
NCMS DM SIG Summer Meeting
Rio Rancho, NM
United States
- June 13, 2013
- June 14, 2013
Think Beyond Plastics Conference
Berkeley, CA
United States
- June 18, 2013
- June 19, 2013
American Chemical Manufacturing Summit 2013
Pittsburgh, PA
United States
- July 9, 2013
- July 10, 2013
V2V & V2I for Auto Safety USA 2013
Novi/Detroit, MI
United States
Copyright © 2011-2013 Tabor Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Digital Manufacturing Report is a registered trademark of Tabor Communications, Inc. Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Tabor Communications Inc. is prohibited.
Powered by Xtenit.