Author Topic: 3D Printer uses Space Related  (Read 320707 times)

Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #120 on: 04/01/2014 03:15 am »
Most of the DIY and driving force for 3D Printers comes out of the Reprap "open source" http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap
=====================================================



 
Care to 3D print your next house? Really BIG 3D printers are coming! Our heavy duty, open source, stepper motor drivers (The THB6064AH from
http://www.linistepper.com ) are driving this beast. It's actually a prototype that fills a 2 car garage and prints segments of full sized walls with space for insulation, insets for windows, doors, etc...
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Offline A_M_Swallow

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #121 on: 04/01/2014 03:24 am »
{snip}
Care to 3D print your next house? Really BIG 3D printers are coming! Our heavy duty, open source, stepper motor drivers are driving this beast. It's actually a prototype that fills a 2 car garage and prints segments of full sized walls with space for insulation, insets for windows, doors, etc...

To make this printer space related we need a version that uses regolith as its ink.

Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #122 on: 04/01/2014 03:49 am »
{snip}
Care to 3D print your next house? Really BIG 3D printers are coming! Our heavy duty, open source, stepper motor drivers are driving this beast. It's actually a prototype that fills a 2 car garage and prints segments of full sized walls with space for insulation, insets for windows, doors, etc...

To make this printer space related we need a version that uses regolith as its ink.

That's one way to do it.....for laying quick foundations maybe another mix.
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
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Offline Asteroza

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #123 on: 04/01/2014 08:30 am »
To make this printer space related we need a version that uses regolith as its ink.

The Contour Crafting group would be a potential lead in terms experience with large structural prints of simple materials (concrete), but their working relationship with Caterpillar may introduce patent encumbrances. Then there are the italian sandstone analogue guys, but they do a powder with a spray binder rather than a melt.

That said, a desert solar thermal sand melter on a rover chassis in the US southwest would provide an alpha level of attempting a regolith build. After that, stuffing regolith simulants into the melter chamber would get you closer. Final testing would be putting the melter rover inside that big vacuum chamber at JSC and point heat lamps at it (if they don't strangle you for excessive outgassing in there). Solar thermal melting limits you to maybe 5 days out a lunar 2 week light cycle depending on your light collector/mirror configuration, and you have to be careful about melt in the pipes/printhead freezing/remelting (schedule a print run to finish before sunset then gravity flush the system?).

Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #124 on: 04/01/2014 08:02 pm »
This post will be a mess for a while......but decent info if you wish to do some research.  I'm finding layer after layer (@12 atM) of new information.   So be kind
====================================

Sigma Labs Files Patent for 3D Printing Quality Control Sensor System
http://tinyurl.com/q6b8hj5

"The project, titled “In-Process Quality Assurance (IPQA) for Laser Powder Bed Production of Aerospace Components”, involves General Electric Aviation, Honeywell Aerospace, and Aerojet Rocketdyne."


"part of a Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) project" 

I discovered this video that should be watched to the end to understand what this is all about


"By inspecting product in-process as opposed to post-process, Sigma Labs can help its customers dramatically reduce their overall inspection costs by only inspecting product identified as suspect during the manufacturing process, aka inspection-for-cause."



http://www10.mcadcafe.com/nbc/articles/1/1236323/Sigma-Labs-Inc.-Awarded-Contract-Extension-Honeywell-Aerospace-Additive-Manufacturing-Support-DARPA-Open-Manufacturing-Program?interstitial_displayed=Yes
 

Edits
« Last Edit: 04/02/2014 02:22 am by Prober »
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Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #125 on: 04/02/2014 03:01 am »
Most of the DIY and driving force for 3D Printers comes out of the Reprap "open source" http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap
======================================================

This is the open source layer (for the moment) of Sigma Labs (the story above)

Sigma Labs and Michigan Technological University to Co-Develop Low-Cost 3D Metal Printer
http://tinyurl.com/ohhdqed
&
Michigan Tech Releases Open-Source 3D Metal Printer for Less Than $2,000
http://tinyurl.com/okqpqtu

The lab has put out a report titled “Low-Cost Open-Source 3D Metal Printing”, available on Academia.edu, that instructs readers on how to build their own 3D steel printer for just over $1,000.

The files and much, much more.  http://www.appropedia.org/Open-source_metal_3-D_printer

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grab these files if you want them very quickly.   Some companies can see making $$ and are working to make this a "CLOSED" model.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


« Last Edit: 04/09/2014 07:14 pm by Prober »
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Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #126 on: 04/03/2014 06:01 pm »
3D Printing’s Potential for Space Apps Is Getting Astronauts’ Imagination Flying

http://tinyurl.com/mo4jsde  (some conflicting days, dates etc. in the article)

"The 3D printer developed by Made in Space is expected to be delivered to the ISS for the “3D Printing in Zero-G Experiment” by SpaceX’s robotic refurbishing mission in Fall 2014. The machine, which is capable of printing about 30% of the tools needed aboard the ISS, will be used to provide scientific foundations for future additive manufacturing away form Earth and demonstrate the long-term effects of micro-gravity on 3D printing. It will also lay the foundation for a full Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) to be flown into orbit at a later date, to enable multiple space based 3D prints."

"Reid Weiseman, the NASA astronaut bound for the ISS in May, where he will be the first person to test Made in Space’s 3D printer"

NSF Links:  http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=26310.msg869604#msg869604

http://www.madeinspace.us/made-in-space-and-nasa-to-send-first-3d-printer-into-space

Edit: add Links
« Last Edit: 04/03/2014 06:13 pm by Prober »
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline TrevorMonty

Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #127 on: 04/03/2014 09:59 pm »
The WAAM 3d printing technology could be used to build metal shelters on moon and maybe in space. Feed stock may eventually be extracted from regolith.  You need to Google it as I don't have a LINK. Same goes for SpiderFab.

Tethers Unlimited's SpiderFab also has great potential for developing large space structure' s. Would be perfect for SSPs.

 


Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #128 on: 04/03/2014 10:57 pm »
The WAAM 3d printing technology could be used to build metal shelters on moon and maybe in space. Feed stock may eventually be extracted from regolith.  You need to Google it as I don't have a LINK. Same goes for SpiderFab.

Tethers Unlimited's SpiderFab also has great potential for developing large space structure' s. Would be perfect for SSPs.

believe all are posted in one way or another under this thread.
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #129 on: 04/04/2014 08:50 pm »
Can you 3D print a 3D printer?

This just released video will be of interest to you.   It relates to the "Bot Farm" 

This might shock a few readers.    A few will say there is a cheaper way to do this type of manufacture.  As a business model this works.  For test models in short run quantities, or test models with various materials this works.  Many firms have mini or small "Bot Farms", including myself  8)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_jUObUGLTA&feature=youtu.be

====================================================

Who Will Hold the Coveted Title of Most 3D Printers Operating in Unison?
http://tinyurl.com/lalxjun

“to my knowledge, LETU is the only university in the country to require all of its incoming freshmen engineering students to build their own individual 3D printers. Many schools have teams that build 3D printers, but we are, I believe, the first to require that all incoming freshmen build and operate their own individual 3D printers, which the students then can use throughout their college career to build prototypes of things they design.”


Edit: add article
« Last Edit: 04/09/2014 04:01 pm by Prober »
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline TrevorMonty

Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #130 on: 04/08/2014 01:21 am »
The lastest SpaceShow's 6th Apr guest speaker is 3D printer expert.

http://www.thespaceshow.com/detail.asp?q=2222

Online guckyfan

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #131 on: 04/08/2014 01:30 pm »
The lastest SpaceShow's 6th Apr guest speaker is 3D printer expert.

http://www.thespaceshow.com/detail.asp?q=2222

I did not listen to it in full but a lot of it. Quite interesting but some weird points in it too.

He emphasized repeatedly and very strongly that 3D-printing is a very promising and important development but will not make a single conventional production method obsolete. It is an addition, not a replacement. I emphatically agree with that. It will be useful in space but not replace conventional production.

He knows nothing about inflatable habitats and on the basis of this lack he strongly doubts their viability.

He is aware of the problem of inflatable habitats and their need to withstand pressure. He does not propose to build them with his 3D-printers. He proposes building landing pads, roads and non inflatable structures. Those structures could provide radiation and micrometeorite shielding with habitats inside.

His knowledge about metal printing seems also limited. He explained that forging and rolling produces products with more strength. That's obviously true but he concludes that 3D-printing cannot produce high stress metal components. It seems he has not heard of products like 3D printed regeneratively cooled combustion chambers and nozzles.


Offline TrevorMonty

Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #132 on: 04/09/2014 04:57 am »
His area of expertise is more with construction of structures. The caller seem to miss the point, show was about 3D printing not inflatable lunar bases.


Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #133 on: 04/09/2014 03:25 pm »
Most of the DIY and driving force for 3D Printers comes out of the Reprap "open source" http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap3D     

 ==================================================
Metal printers

Potential Home Metal 3D Printer: The Vader

http://3dprintingindustry.com/2013/09/30/potential-home-metal-3d-printer-vader/

Process: Liquid Metal Jet Printing (LMJP) (under development)

"LMJP is similar to ink jet printing, whereby every individual molten drop is printed in a specific location."

A head akin to that of an ink jet printer lays down droplets, layer by layer, building up the molten aluminum additively. By changing the extrusion orifice size, molten spheres of metal are then deposited.
http://www.vadersystems.com/#!list/c18jg


« Last Edit: 04/09/2014 07:13 pm by Prober »
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #134 on: 04/09/2014 04:22 pm »
Another follow-up New Materials &  Graphene
======================================
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33141.msg1163550#msg1163550

Additive Graphene With Grafoid & Altamat Atomisation Agreement   http://tinyurl.com/mnjtj84

“Success in 3D graphene printed materials markets comes from an ability to create the highest performing products at the lowest possible cost on a safe and environmentally sustainable basis. Our agreement with Altamat and Dr. Henein’s engineering expertise adds yet another element to Grafoid’s expanding portfolio of MesoGraf™ graphene development,”

To quote: ‘…analysts forecast the global graphene market to grow at a CAGR of 60.4 percent over the period 2012-2016. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the growing demand for graphene due to its superior attributes.’ - Infiniti Research Limited, October 2013
« Last Edit: 04/09/2014 07:13 pm by Prober »
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #135 on: 04/09/2014 04:50 pm »
Most of the DIY and driving force for 3D Printers comes out of the Reprap "open source" http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap3D    New Material Print your own Bearings.
=================================================

Another Revolution in the Making with Igus’ First Tribo Filament   http://tinyurl.com/m2bxuj8

"Those who “make with” 3D printers may not be familiar with the name but those who “make” 3D printers know all about it: German multinational plastic component producer igus makes parts for a vast majority of desktop FDM and RepRap FFF 3D printers."

"all components produced by igus are tribologic, meaning they do not require lubricants to move because they are made of technopolymers that are more resistant to abrasion than standard plastics."

http://tinyurl.com/kl7ddb7
« Last Edit: 04/09/2014 07:11 pm by Prober »
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #136 on: 04/10/2014 06:53 pm »
Couple of Medical uses.   Long term space travel might need these.
========================================

Printing Skin Cells on Burn Wounds
http://www.wakehealth.edu/Research/WFIRM/Research/Military-Applications/Printing-Skin-Cells-On-Burn-Wounds.htm

"WFIRM scientists designed, built and tested a printer designed to print skin cells onto burn wounds. The "ink" is actually different kinds of skin cells. A scanner is used to determine wound size and depth."
======================

The first 3D printed organ -- a liver -- is expected in 2014
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9244884/The_first_3D_printed_organ_a_liver_is_expected_in_2014

"To spur on the development of bio-printed organs, the Methuselah Foundation, a Springfield, Va.-based not-for-profit that supports regenerative medicine research, this month announced a $1 million prize for the first organization to print a fully functioning liver. "
The Prize PDF
http://www.neworgan.org/pdf/new_organ_press_release_fact_sheet.pdf
« Last Edit: 04/10/2014 07:03 pm by Prober »
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline Prober

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #137 on: 04/10/2014 11:25 pm »
Meet Jimmy, Intel’s Open Source, 3D Printable Robot
http://tinyurl.com/kgu5z5u
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
How about replacing that GM bot (http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/default.asp) on the ISS with a space upgraded Jimmy?  or How about putting some Moon tracks on it and make a sexy moon rover?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Johnson also saw that the robot of the future would be accessible and affordable.  By making Jimmy open source and 3D printable, he hopes to keep the price of building the robot under $500. In addition, access to Jimmy’s design files allows users to project their own vision onto him, personalize him and make him their own. As Johnson put it, “the future is for everybody”, so everyone should be able to make it what they want."
Files available (may) http://21stcenturyrobot.com/archive


« Last Edit: 04/10/2014 11:44 pm by Prober »
2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline nec207

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #138 on: 04/13/2014 02:32 am »
People should not confused 3D printers with star trek replicator that work by rearranging subatomic particles, which are abundant everywhere in the universe, to form molecules and arrange those molecules to form the object.That is beyond today's technology.

Way too many subatomic particles to move around and for computer to keep track of them all.May be if we had quantum computers they would be powerful enough? But today's computers are too crude.

 

Offline docmordrid

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Re: 3D Printer uses Space Related
« Reply #139 on: 04/14/2014 06:10 pm »
That's where the relatively new science of molecular self-organization comes in.

TEDxVienna - Klaus Stadlmann - The world's smallest 3D printer

« Last Edit: 04/14/2014 06:10 pm by docmordrid »
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