International Space Station's 3D Printer Makes First Replacement Part
- 10 years ago
About a week after the three dimensional printer was installed onboard the International Space Station, astronauts have used it to create the first object manufactured in space.
Just a few days after a three dimensional printer was installed onboard the International Space Station, astronauts have used it to create the first object manufactured in space.
Aaron Kemmer, the chief executive officer of Made In Space, the company that worked with NASA on the 3D printer, is quoted as saying: "It's not only the first part printed in space, it's really the first object truly manufactured off planet Earth."
After a series of calibration tests, astronauts created a replacement faceplate for the print head casing on the three dimensional printer itself.
Since the printer can make parts for itself, this is the first step towards making more replacement parts in space rather than having them shipped, which isn’t cost effective.
The 3D printer operates using additive manufacturing where plastic filament is built one layer at a time to create the design from a digital file.
Experts are still figuring out how 3D printing differs in the microgravity environment of space compared to how it works on Earth.
The first object reportedly stuck to the print tray more than expected, which might mean that adjustments need to be made to the process for future printing.
Just a few days after a three dimensional printer was installed onboard the International Space Station, astronauts have used it to create the first object manufactured in space.
Aaron Kemmer, the chief executive officer of Made In Space, the company that worked with NASA on the 3D printer, is quoted as saying: "It's not only the first part printed in space, it's really the first object truly manufactured off planet Earth."
After a series of calibration tests, astronauts created a replacement faceplate for the print head casing on the three dimensional printer itself.
Since the printer can make parts for itself, this is the first step towards making more replacement parts in space rather than having them shipped, which isn’t cost effective.
The 3D printer operates using additive manufacturing where plastic filament is built one layer at a time to create the design from a digital file.
Experts are still figuring out how 3D printing differs in the microgravity environment of space compared to how it works on Earth.
The first object reportedly stuck to the print tray more than expected, which might mean that adjustments need to be made to the process for future printing.