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NASA Tests Feasibility of 3D Printing on the Moon and Other Planets
ErnieKey writes A major application of 3d printing that could revolutionize space travel would be using 3d printers to create structures on non-terrestrial bodies like the moon, other planets, and even asteroids. Researchers from NASA's Kennedy Space Center have been working to develop solutions to materials issues, and recently presented initial findings on the potential for using in-situ materials like basalt for 3D printing. Their innovative method is based on only using in-situ supplies, and not materials that need to be brought into space.
As I recall the toy-grade plastic-extruding 3D printer recently sent to the ISS is working just fine, despite the 0g. As was expected - the things were tested in all orientations, including upside down, here on Earth. If it works fine even when gravity is working against you, it will probably continue to work fine when gravity is "ignoring" you.
Basically the bonding forces between layers are strong enough that, even when the top layer is still liquid, that gravity doesn't play much of a roll. It's not like we're talking about ornamental water fountains here - the plastic is liquified, forced through an extrusion nozzle, and travels *maybe* 1mm before contacting a cool surface and rapidly solidifying again.
And then there's things like the arc-welding robot arm, which can act as a 3D printer capable of drawing free-standing 3D lines connected to a surface at only one end. I seriously doubt it would have any problems in freefall either.
--- Most topics have many sides worth arguing, allow me to take one opposite you.
Lingua latina fuit, longe tempore, lingua scientiae. Isaacus Newtonus, Iohannes Keplerus, Galilaeus Galilaei, Franciscus Bacon, Leonhardus Eulerus, inter alios, opera omnia latina scripserunt. Ideo, non estote amantes ignorantiae, nec superbi in ignorantia vestra.
In soviet russia the government regulates the companies.
Latin is a dead language, please understand that.
People keep repeating this line ad-nauseum, spouting 'language is dead', etcetera. They might have bona-fide complaints, but maybe they're an alias for a different annoyance, perhaps that they didn't pay enough attention in school circa 9th grade to maintain a simple conversation on a site known to attract tech-lovers. Ergo this problem will not be solved quickly.
"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
This is an English language website. The term in-situ is something that I would expect at least an educated person from an English language country to understand perfectly. There is a large amount of the English language a none native speaker might not understand, that is no reason not to use it on an English language website. If there is something you don't understand Google if heavens sake.
I am quite sure if I demanded that the French used simple French on their websites so I could understand it they would go positively apoplectic.