Zero-gravity 3D printer to launch to ISS next year
17 replies, posted
[Quote]Next year, astronauts aboard the International Space Station will be getting a fun new tool; a 3D printer capable of printing in zero gravity. NASA has released a video detailing their on-board plans for the 3D printer.[/quote]
[video=youtube;1Jwxn6EzW84]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jwxn6EzW84[/video]
[quote]The 3D printer the astronauts will be using is being developed by a company called Made In Space. It's already passed a series of critical zero gravity tests and NASA has confirmed the printer will be launched into orbit sometime in June 2014.[/quote]
Source: [url]http://www.3dprinter-world.com/article/how-iss-astronauts-plan-use-their-new-3d-printer[/url]
Pretty cool stuff!
Science! That's cool as fuck honestly, and so useful to not have to do extra launches just for replacement parts.
I dont see why normal 3D printers cant print in zero gravity? Gravity has little to do with how its printed cause its injected into that really hot nozzle.
Also:
"I have a 3D printer. I take every chance to talk about 3D printing, and specifically my 3D printer"
I'm sure there were some challenges to overcome with all the differences. Probably more of a finish quality thing than operation. I'm sure mine would work, but oozing is a problem here, I am sure it would be worse in 0G
[quote]3D printer to launch to ISS next year[/quote]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/XYNV8fc.jpg[/img]
?
[QUOTE=Widgeon;41861355]I dont see why normal 3D printers cant print in zero gravity? Gravity has little to do with how its printed cause its injected into that really hot nozzle.
Also:
"I have a 3D printer. I take every chance to talk about 3D printing, and specifically my 3D printer"[/QUOTE]
Excuse me, I have a 3D printer. Let me talk about it and make sure everyone knows I have one
[sp]I'm sorry, I'm just so excited to actually talk about it :c[/sp]
[editline]Edit[/editline]
People seem to be misinterpreting what I was doing. I was mocking myself
Great now our astronauts will be printing guns and shooting each other in space!
Ban 3D printers already!
Now what on Earth would they need that for?
[QUOTE=paindoc;41861702]Excuse me, I have a 3D printer. Let me talk about it and make sure everyone knows I have one
[sp]I'm sorry, I'm just so excited to actually talk about it :c[/sp][/QUOTE]
I don't see what's so wrong about someone being excited about a developing technology that could possibly revolutionize industry.
what if somebody hacks the printer and makes it print out bombs
[QUOTE=DeeCeeTeeBee;41862015]what if somebody hacks the printer and makes it print out bombs[/QUOTE]
PLA plastic bombs? If you have such a technology, I would say you are quite literally a wizard.
Oh man look it's that guy who has a 3D printer, always talks about 3D printers and spcifically his 3D printer. Who would've thought :v:
But real talk. Printing in space sounds like a really good idea, cause you have way less structural limits.
[QUOTE=DeeCeeTeeBee;41862015]what if somebody hacks the printer and makes it print out bombs[/QUOTE]
More like hack it and fill the ISS with dragon dildos while the crew is asleep
[QUOTE=Widgeon;41861355]I dont see why normal 3D printers cant print in zero gravity? Gravity has little to do with how its printed cause its injected into that really hot nozzle.
Also:
"I have a 3D printer. I take every chance to talk about 3D printing, and specifically my 3D printer"[/QUOTE]
Harder to hold the thing you're printing steady with no down-force, I'd guess.
[QUOTE=katbug;41861822]I don't see what's so wrong about someone being excited about a developing technology that could possibly revolutionize industry.[/QUOTE]
My friends give me shit about it all the time. Which is bullshit, because if I'm talking about it its because some friend or family member asked me about it, or I did something neat with it or read some news article
But generally there is one friend who just says "jeese no one wants to hear about your printer all the time paindoc". [I]fuck you[/I], I don't bring it up all the time and its a hobby of mine so I can talk about when I damn well feel like it
[editline]16th August 2013[/editline]
[QUOTE=frozensoda;41862038]Does my title preclude me from posting relevant stories? Jesus what a douche.
[editline]16th August 2013[/editline]
I didn't bring up my title or my 3D printer, he did.
[editline]16th August 2013[/editline]
PLA plastic bombs? If you have such a technology, I would say you are quite literally a wizard.[/QUOTE]
I wasn't mocking you, I was mocking my own tendency to post in threads like this all the time
[QUOTE=Awesomecaek;41862398]More like hack it and fill the ISS with dragon dildos while the crew is asleep[/QUOTE]
if i was up there nobody would need to hack it for that to happen
[QUOTE=Rents;41862542]Harder to hold the thing you're printing steady with no down-force, I'd guess.[/QUOTE]
Well, most objects are stuck to the bed through virtue of a heated bed. I would wonder if temperature fluctuations would cause difficulties: not sure how steady the environment is on the ISS.
As far as ooze or other issues, I don't see anything happening. Pressure is held in the extruder because the molten plastic is pretty viscous.
Timothy Creamer
What a fitting name
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