16 thoughts on “3-D Printers”

  1. Has anybody looked at putting one on the ISS? I’m sure there are many useful things they could already turn out that would beat waiting for the next flight from Earth to bring.

  2. Depending on the implementation, some of those 3D printers might not work very well in a microgravity environment. Also, this technology could have a very important role on long space missions. My suggestion is to build the primary parts using this technology so that if you have to build a replacement part, it will be identical to the original piece. This might require quite a bit more development in 3D printing technology but it seems to be improving quite rapidly as it is.

      1. Most excellent. Some of the earlier 3D printing techniques that I’ve seen in videos used a technology that would’ve been extremely unpleasant in a weightless environment. I’m glad someone is directly addressing this issue. I wonder how strong their components are compared to normally manufactured pieces.

        1. 3D printing is not limited to plastics. I’ve seen 3D printers that work with everything from ice to stainless steel.

          1. But how does the stainless steel part produced by a printer compare in strength to a milled part made from stainless steel? If it’s of comparable strength, cool. If not, then the printed component will have to be redesigned to make up for the lower strength. The same applies to other physical properties like heat or abrasion resistance. Can the printed component withstand the same heat as a milled component?

            That’s why I suggest that once the technology is mature enough, make the original components using the printer technology so the printed replacement parts will be identical to the original in every way.

          2. But how does the stainless steel part produced by a printer compare in strength to a milled part made from stainless steel?

            I didn’t get a sample to test. Nor do I have the facilities to test it, for that matter. 🙂

            The finished part needs to be sintered in an argon oven. I assume it is the sintering process that determines the strength of the final product, so I would guess the strength is comparable to other powdered metal fabs.

          3. Oops. I just realized I misread your original post. I thought you said, “I wonder how strong their components are compared to normally manufactured plastics.”

            Pardon my non sequitur.

          4. I’m very much in favor of the 3D technology and think it will be very useful for future long-term space exploration. The technology seems to be advancing rapidly. Once the technology is capable of producing aerospace quality parts, I think that’s what how all replaceable (non-electronic) parts should be manufactured for a spacecraft. I doubt anyone will be able to fabricate computer chips in a small, easily portable unit any time soon but would love to be proven wrong on that.

            This technology could greatly simplify the logistics of long space missions. Instead of trying to determine what parts may fail and how many spares are needed, the crew could carry the raw materials and build parts as needed. They could even design and create new designs to meet unanticipated needs. If the designers could standardize on as few electronic chips as possible, it’d be a lot easier to carry a good working inventory of replacements for them as well.

  3. What I’d like to see is how much of a 3D printer can be printed with a 3D printer. The high tech components will not be printable.

  5. I just took the plunge as part of RepRap, contributing to this Kickstarter Project:

    http://tinyurl.com/8a2kjf6

    I’m due to get my Printrbot in February. They’re using Printrbots to make parts for the new ones.

    My main concern was whether I’d find software to run on my Mac.

  7. We should also try putting some at the South Pole, if they already haven’t, and do some practical experimentation on using them for logistical support, especially for unanticipated needs.

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