SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — 3D Printing in Space - Help Requested

Re: 3D Printing in Space - Help Requested

2014-11-16T09:33:26Z

i assume its going to be a fdm printer, but i really don't see how you'll pull that off on 1amp an hour.. so best bet i'd say would be SLA something like http://3dprint.com/19667/ibox-nano-cheap-3d-printer/ or http://www.3ders.org/articles/20141014- … rives.html
but then the whole space thing kinda throws out the conventional sla process ... so my take on it would be to design a dc motor based fdm printer that prints with fluids and uv light.
might work if your actually in 0g

Re: 3D Printing in Space - Help Requested

2014-11-01T19:15:56Z

also use PLA so minimal bed heat needed and lower extruder heat. both eat Watts. also steppers could be smaller ones than normal at that size print area not needing as long of run times or power. maybe servos

Re: 3D Printing in Space - Help Requested

2014-11-01T18:07:20Z

My first thought would be the micro but not due for release until February. the little machine is only a 7.3 inch cube but that would make it over ten inches on the diagonal.
weight only 1 kilo so room for a a pi and filament.
9' cylinder you probably need to get a delta kit and cut down the pieces. to make it fit the envelope.
One amp of power measured where. one amp out of a 12v power supply is only 12 watts not much to work with. but 1 amp from a wall outlet should give you about 120 WATS for an hour or 240 wats for a half hour.
tin

Re: 3D Printing in Space - Help Requested

2014-11-01T06:24:16Z

thats a tall order, whats the budget?

Re: 3D Printing in Space - Help Requested

2014-11-01T05:36:34Z

What kind of data are you planning on gathering with this test?

I'm assuming that the ISS printer isn't going to answer the questions you plan to ask?

3D Printing in Space - Help Requested

2014-10-31T00:05:55Z

Hello, we are the Virginia Tech Rocksat-X 2015 Design Team. This year, our goal is to fly a 3D printer aboard a short sounding rocket mission.

The printer must:
Fit within a 9 in diameter cylinder with height under 9 in (<23 cm).
Consume less than 1 Amp Hour of Power to complete a print job.
Weigh less than 10 lb (<4.5 kg).
Be controllable by off the shelf electronics (Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Beaglebone Black)
Simple to use and setup.

If you have any recommendations or insight on how to accomplish this goal, it would be massively appreciated, and can help send one of the first 3D Printers into space.

Please contact us here or at VTRocksatX@gmail.com
Thank you