Quote from: KelvinZero on 11/03/2012 09:40 pm1-Instead of asking what component on the ISS a 3d printer could reproduce, perhaps we should be asking the engineers who design each component (especially of a future BEO ISS) to, where possible, design their prototypes to a similar machine.2-Therefore whenever anyone suggests such toys don't help current missions, this suggests we are currently not performing the right missions.1-At this very moment I am sitting in a briefing by a NASA ISS official explaining how they plan for experiments on ISS, what the limitations are, etc. The planning is very careful and constrained, not open-ended like you imply. Before you can put an experimental technology into an operational role--i.e. rely upon it--you have to do a lot of trades to make sure that this is a better solution than the tried and reliable solutions we already have.2-That's not reality.
1-Instead of asking what component on the ISS a 3d printer could reproduce, perhaps we should be asking the engineers who design each component (especially of a future BEO ISS) to, where possible, design their prototypes to a similar machine.2-Therefore whenever anyone suggests such toys don't help current missions, this suggests we are currently not performing the right missions.
Quote from: Blackstar on 11/09/2012 05:49 pmQuote from: KelvinZero on 11/03/2012 09:40 pm1-Instead of asking what component on the ISS a 3d printer could reproduce, perhaps we should be asking the engineers who design each component (especially of a future BEO ISS) to, where possible, design their prototypes to a similar machine.2-Therefore whenever anyone suggests such toys don't help current missions, this suggests we are currently not performing the right missions.1-At this very moment I am sitting in a briefing by a NASA ISS official explaining how they plan for experiments on ISS, what the limitations are, etc. The planning is very careful and constrained, not open-ended like you imply. Before you can put an experimental technology into an operational role--i.e. rely upon it--you have to do a lot of trades to make sure that this is a better solution than the tried and reliable solutions we already have.2-That's not reality.American tax dollars at work.
Quote from: KelvinZero on 11/10/2012 04:53 amQuote from: Blackstar on 11/09/2012 05:49 pmQuote from: KelvinZero on 11/03/2012 09:40 pm1-Instead of asking what component on the ISS a 3d printer could reproduce, perhaps we should be asking the engineers who design each component (especially of a future BEO ISS) to, where possible, design their prototypes to a similar machine.2-Therefore whenever anyone suggests such toys don't help current missions, this suggests we are currently not performing the right missions.1-At this very moment I am sitting in a briefing by a NASA ISS official explaining how they plan for experiments on ISS, what the limitations are, etc. The planning is very careful and constrained, not open-ended like you imply. Before you can put an experimental technology into an operational role--i.e. rely upon it--you have to do a lot of trades to make sure that this is a better solution than the tried and reliable solutions we already have.2-That's not reality.American tax dollars at work. Would you prefer that they act recklessly? Is it more "fun" if a commercial airline pilot does barrel rolls with the plane?We are talking about a very expensive piece of equipment here. They don't let the kids program the experiments.
Are there any blogs or published results from people using 3D printing in remote parts of the world? What are their opinions and verdicts on the pro's and cons of the technology?
Is it more "fun" if a commercial airline pilot does barrel rolls with the plane?
They don't let the kids program the experiments.
....[Made In Space, Inc.]The company's Small Business Innovative Research proposal — submitted with Arkyd Astronautics, Inc. and NanoRacks, LLC — makes the project eligible to receive up to $125,000 in NASA funding sometime next year. If all goes well with upcoming parabolic and suborbital flight tests, Made in Space could see its first 3D printer reach the space station by 2014.
I think it's the metal-based 3D printers that should be most relevant for space applications. I don't think you can print truly strong composites, can you?I'd heard about a US drone called the Polecat being fabricated by 3D printing, and apparently it was made out of composites, but I doubt those would be space qualifiable.The best 3D printers for high strength metal parts are supposed to be either these Selective Laser Sintering machines, or else the Electron-Beam Melting machines like the ones from Arcam.
composites can be made lighter and stronger then steel.
Yes, but by 3D printing? And are they as strong as non-printed composites? Do they have optimal strength?It seems to me that the nature of composites is such that additive manufacturing methods would not be best suited for optimizing their potential.
In a world increasingly concerned with questions of energy production and raw material shortages, this project explores the potential of desert manufacturing, where energy and material occur in abundance.In this experiment sunlight and sand are used as raw energy and material to produce glass objects using a 3D printing process, that combines natural energy and material with high-tech production technology.Solar-sintering aims to raise questions about the future of manufacturing and triggers dreams of the full utilisation of the production potential of the world's most efficient energy resource - the sun. Whilst not providing definitive answers, this experiment aims to provide a point of departure for fresh thinking.
Here's another twist about 3D printing, that has potential to be applied in space (e.g. on the Moon or even Mars):Summary of the project:QuoteIn a world increasingly concerned with questions of energy production and raw material shortages, this project explores the potential of desert manufacturing, where energy and material occur in abundance.In this experiment sunlight and sand are used as raw energy and material to produce glass objects using a 3D printing process, that combines natural energy and material with high-tech production technology.Solar-sintering aims to raise questions about the future of manufacturing and triggers dreams of the full utilisation of the production potential of the world's most efficient energy resource - the sun. Whilst not providing definitive answers, this experiment aims to provide a point of departure for fresh thinking.http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25698.0Edit: added link to earlier discussion about this project
Okay, but high-strength composites usually have long fibers or laminar layers inside them. I don't think any of that could be done with 3D printing.
Quote from: Prober on 11/25/2012 02:06 pmcomposites can be made lighter and stronger then steel. Yes, but by 3D printing? And are they as strong as non-printed composites? Do they have optimal strength?It seems to me that the nature of composites is such that additive manufacturing methods would not be best suited for optimizing their potential.
I've got designs put on the shelf that would shock a few regarding composites.