Imagine landing on the moon or Mars, putting rocks through a 3-D printer and making something useful – like a needed wrench or replacement part. Three-dimensional fabrication technology, also known as additive manufacturing, allows researchers to produce complex 3-D objects directly from computer-aided design (CAD) models, printing the material layer by layer. In this case, the material is heated using a laser to high temperatures and prints out like melting candle wax to a desired shape.
Because of the tremendous expense of space travel, researchers strive to limit what space ships have to carry. Establishment of a lunar or Martian outpost would require using the materials that are on hand for construction or repairs.
View the video below.
Also: Learn about MoonKommand software.
Transcript
00:00:06 we got some materials from NASA this is a moon rock simulant and what we are trying to see if we can use this Moon Rock simulant to make some parts using printing technology so we basically printed materials as if you can think of doing it in outer space you scoop some material from the outer space whether it's moon or Mars and then basically you
00:00:34 print parts of different shapes based on your need so this is basically a first generation work to show that the concept is real and if needed whether it's a tool or simple mat or whatever you need you can actually print it we can also do not only just make parts we can also use them to join parts to you know if there is any you know part that breaks or fractures so this technology can be used
00:01:01 to actually join and make sure the parts that we sent from art actually can work well this is this is like you know Star Trek next Generation so this is you know it's science but it is also a very different type of science you know this is more of a you know fascinating work that has a very different uh you know application maybe it's not something that we are doing that will go to
00:01:27 product tomorrow or day after but maybe next 50 years 100 years this is what is going to be the norm standard practice you know for the mankind so that's why it is it is very exciting for us to contribute in this area
