The International Space Station’s 3-D printer has manufactured the
first 3-D printed object in space, paving the way to future long-term
space expeditions.
"This first print is the initial step toward providing an on-demand
machine shop capability away from Earth," said Niki Werkheiser, project
manager for the International Space Station 3-D Printer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. "The space station is the only laboratory where we can fully test this technology in space.”
NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore, Expedition 42 commander aboard the International Space Station,
installed the printer on Nov. 17 and conducted the first calibration
test print. Based on the test print results, the ground control team
sent commands to realign the printer and printed a second calibration
test on Nov. 20. These tests verified that the printer was ready for
manufacturing operations. On Nov. 24, ground controllers sent the
printer the command to make the first printed part: a faceplate of the
extruder’s casing. This demonstrated that the printer can make
replacement parts for itself. The 3-D printer
uses a process formally known as additive manufacturing to heat a
relatively low-temperature plastic filament and extrude it one layer at a
time to build the part defined in the design file sent to the machine.
On the morning of Nov. 25, Wilmore removed the part from the printer
and inspected it. Part adhesion on the tray was stronger than
anticipated, which could mean layer bonding is different in
microgravity, a question the team will investigate as future parts are
printed. Wilmore installed a new print tray, and the ground team sent a
command to fine-tune the printer alignment and printed a third
calibration coupon. When Wilmore removes the calibration coupon, the
ground team will be able to command the printer to make a second object.
The ground team makes precise adjustments before every print, and the
results from this first print are contributing to a better understanding
about the parameters to use when 3-D printing on the space station.
“This is the first time we’ve ever used a 3-D printer in space, and
we are learning, even from these initial operations,” Werkheiser said.
“As we print more parts we’ll be able to learn whether some of the
effects we are seeing are caused by microgravity or just part of the
normal fine-tuning process for printing. When we get the parts back on
Earth, we’ll be able to do a more detailed analysis to find out how they
compare to parts printed on Earth.”
The 3-D Printing in Zero-G Technology Demonstration
on the space station aims to show additive manufacturing can make a
variety of 3-D printed parts and tools in space. The first object 3-D
printed in space, the printhead faceplate, is engraved with names of the
organizations that collaborated on this space station technology
demonstration: NASA and Made In Space, Inc., the space manufacturing
company that worked with NASA to design, build and test the 3-D printer.
Made In Space is located on the campus of NASA’s Ames Research Center
in Moffett Field, California.
“We chose this part to print first because, after all, if we are
going to have 3-D printers make spare and replacement parts for critical
items in space, we have to be able to make spare parts for the
printers,” Werkheiser said. “If a printer is critical for explorers, it
must be capable of replicating its own parts, so that it can keep
working during longer journeys to places like Mars or an asteroid.
Ultimately, one day, a printer may even be able to print another
printer.”
Made In Space engineers commanded the printer to make the first object while working with controllers at NASA’s Payload Operations Integration Center
in Huntsville. As the first objects are printed, NASA and Made In Space
engineers are monitoring the manufacturing via downlinked images and
videos. The majority of the printing process is controlled from the
ground to limit crew time required for operations.
"The operation of the 3-D printer is a transformative moment in space
development," said Aaron Kemmer, chief executive officer of Made In
Space. "We’ve built a machine that will provide us with research data
needed to develop future 3-D printers for the International Space
Station and beyond, revolutionizing space manufacturing. This may change
how we approach getting replacement tools and parts to the space
station crew, allowing them to be less reliant on supply missions from
Earth."
The first objects built in space will be returned to Earth in 2015
for detailed analysis and comparison to identical ground control samples
made on the flight printer after final flight testing earlier this year
at, NASA’s Marshall Center prior to launch. The goal of this analysis
is to verify that the 3-D printing process works the same in
microgravity as it does on Earth.
NEW
DELHI: Following teasers and leaks, Microsoft has officially unveiled
its first smartphone without Nokia branding - Lumia 535. The smartphone
will be available in dual-sim and single sim variants from November at
an estimated price of 110 euros (Rs 8,400 approximately) (excluding
taxes and subsidies) with sales starting in China, Hong Kong and
Bangladesh. There's no information on the India pricing and release of
the phone.
