Since they successfully achieved zero gravity 3D printing last year they have been working on technology that would allow astronauts to manufacture objects outside of the ISS in the vacuum of space. Just over a month ago Made in Space completed a round of successful tests indicating that their newest generation of 3D printers will be fully functional in open space. The new technology will be the first machine capable of in-vacuum additive manufacturing.
“We believe we are as little as 18 months away from incorporating the current designs into on-orbit tests. These preliminary tests, combined with our experience with microgravity additive manufacturing, show that the direct manufacturing of structures in space is possible using Made In Space developed technologies. Soon, structures will be produced in space that are much larger than what could currently fit into a launch fairing, designed for microgravity rather than launch survivability. Complete structural optimization is now possible in space,” said Chief Engineer at Made In Space Mike Snyder
Last year’s successful printing test was a precursor to Made in Space’s commercial Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) which will be sent to the International Space Station later this year. All twenty four of the original parts have been sent back to Earth for laboratory analysis and comparison with identical objects 3D printed on Earth. These tests and the first round of printed parts are only the first phase of NASA’s 3D Printing in Zero-G Technology Demonstration mission.
For the second phase of the mission Made in Space tested a modified version of their AMF that includes proprietary vacuum-compatible extrusion heads. These test parts were produced using aerospace-grade thermopolymers to assess how well the deposition process functions within a vacuum. After a full week of testing inside of a vacuum chamber the preliminary results of these tests have been successful. While the vacuum 3D printing process worked exactly as expected, Made in Space will be testing the finished parts to detect any mechanical properties that differ from parts produced in Earth’s atmosphere.
You can find out more about all of the exciting technology being developed by Made in Space over on their blog. And if you’re so inclined, Made in Space is also offering spools of their zero gravity 3D printing filament for sale on their website. And make sure that you let us know what you think about these developments over on our Made In Space forum at 3DPB.com.