The European Space Agency has commence an intriguing experimentation on the International Space Station ( ISS ) , one that sic a phonograph record and might shape manufacturing and sustainability in area . For the first meter , a metal object has been 3D publish in distance .
The Metal 3D Printer was sent to theISSback in January but the experiment only started in more late days . Installed by ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen back then , the gadget is controlled on Earth . And the first test was to impress a slight " S " .
“ This S - curve is a test line , successfully concluding the commissioning of our Metal 3-D Printer , ” ESA expert military officer Rob Postema said in astatement .
“ The success of this first print , along with other reference melody , leaves us quick to print full theatrical role in the near future . We ’ve attain this point thanks to the hard efforts of the industrial squad direct by Airbus Defence and Space SAS , the CADMOS User Support Centre in France , from which mark operations are overseen from the ground , as well as our own ESA squad . ”
A stainless steel wire is run to a printing domain , alike to how plastic telegram is fed in a regular3D printer . But disappear charge card is much easy . Here , a laser one million times more powerful than a laser pointer melts the tip , allow for for structures to be created in the printer . The printing machine is seal while work so no fumes get out and into the space post .
Four objects have been selected to be print play along this mental testing , although ESA has not discussed detail yet . They will be brought back to Earth and tested against exact copy impress undergravity . Researchers are interested in see if there are differences between the two .
Printing alloy tools in blank space could be great for multiple reasons . It intend that they do not have to be brought from Earth , but just construct when the need turn out . And it could be more sustainable , as ESA hopes to make a circular thriftiness in distance where nothinggets throw outand everything is recycled . This is an exciting development , one that start with a little S - curvature .
