{"id":7348,"date":"2014-04-15T14:27:04","date_gmt":"2014-04-15T14:27:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=7348"},"modified":"2014-04-15T15:25:00","modified_gmt":"2014-04-15T15:25:00","slug":"3d-printing-will-impact-space-development-in-many-ways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=7348","title":{"rendered":"3D printing will impact space development in many ways"},"content":{"rendered":"

3D printing, also known as “additive printing”, will benefit space activities in manifold ways as described in this ESA article :\u00a0Ten ways 3D printing could change space – ESA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For example, it can make structures that can’t be made with conventional machining techniques:<\/p>\n

\"3D-printed_titanium_lattice_ball_node_full_image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A lightweight titanium lattice ball manufactured using the Additive Manufacturing<\/em>
\n or 3D printing process. This design is a good example of AM capabilities: these <\/em>
\nhollow balls possessing a complex external geometry could not have been <\/em>
\nmanufactured in a single part using a conventional manufacturing process. <\/em>
\nBut they are incredibly light while also stiff, opening up possibilities for future <\/em>
\nspace applications.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Close-up_of_3D-printed_titanium_lattice_ball_node_full_image\"<\/a>Here’s a close-up.<\/em><\/p>\n

At the other end of the scale, entire large structures on the Moon and elsewhere could be built with the 3D printing technique:<\/p>\n

\"Multi-dome_base_being_constructed_node_full_image\"<\/a>Multi-dome lunar base being constructed, based on the 3D printing concept.<\/em>
\n Once assembled, the inflated domes are covered with a layer of 3D-printed <\/em>
\nlunar regolith by robots to help protect the occupants against\u00a0space<\/em>
\n radiation and micrometeoroids<\/em><\/p>\n

Update<\/strong>: The ESA article mentions making models with 3D printing. Here is a video showing an animation using 50 models made with 3D printing:<\/p>\n