3D printing is a relatively new concept and many people are not very familiar with it. This is unfortunate because this technology has potential to be immensely important to our future. 3D printing adds a completely new dimension what we thought was possible. In short, 3D printing is the practice of using a robotic printer to create an object by using a computer controlled additive process. There are many micro-layers that are carefully laid into place to form this three-dimensional object. This object can then be used as if it were normally manufactured. One benefit from making objects through this process is only the amount of raw materials needed to construct the object are used in creation. There is no surplus material or material that is wasted. Efficiency and effectiveness are both increased in this aspect while using three-dimensional printing.
Some popular applications of 3D printing include:
- Automobiles
- Aerospace
- Apparel
- Medicine
- Firearms
- Construction
- Art
The ability to create an object from numerous raw materials sounds like something we have been doing for years. However, 3D printing adds the opportunity to create whatever, whenever. Being able to create something on the fly decreases the need for manufacturing every part that you will ever need to have on you. 3D printers can even create fully-functioning versions of themselves. Some say 3D printing will change the world, but why stop at the world?
Made In Space has created a 3D printer (Zero-G Printer) that was launched into orbit yesterday September 21, 2014. One of the main challenges for them was to create a 3D printer that is able operate in a microgravity environment and also withstands the force of take-off. This wasn't achieved in the past because the parts would just wiggle around without the gravity that the earth has. You can imagine the doors this opens up for human kind. The Zero-G Printer will be the first time any kind of manufacturing will take place in space. Whether this triggers out of this world manufacturing (literally), or assists NASA voyages and missions, it is safe to say that this achievement is worthy of recognition.
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| Zero-G by Made In Space |
While this breakthrough could be the start of something new, knowing what that something is exactly is quite the challenge itself. What's so unique and attractive about 3D printing is all of the opportunity it presents to us. It is hard to tell how 3D printing will change our lives but as you have read, space development is only one of the many possible applications. Who knows, maybe we will start civilization on another planet because of printing 3D objects we need in space.
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Posted by Brady Feldman
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