Birmingham University 3D space printer
The metal 3D printing system said to work in zero gravity
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a 3D metal printer that can function in zero gravity, potentially enabling astronauts to produce tools and spare parts while on space missions.
It is thought the 3D printer could play a role in advancing the way space missions are conducted, enhancing production methods and reduce cost.
Dr Luke Carter, a PhD student at Birmingham University, has worked extensively on the project. He believes complex items could be printed as astronauts work on their 3D printing system. The items could be components for the aircraft the astronauts travelled on or exploration tools, rather than machining from bulk.
“We are at the heart of the third industrial revolution – using 3D printing techniques to make components out of metal,” Dr Carter said. “We are the only university in the UK to use a variety of metals in this way, especially the laser and powder based techniques.”
A prototype of the 3D printer has been tested on the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ‘vomit comet’ simulation device. The printer functioned as it should in the device which is used to stimulate the weightlessness of space.
Dr Carter was pleased with the performance in the simulator and hopes it can have a significant impact in the additive metal field.
“In its current form the demonstrator is an experimental system for a very specific application, however we are hopeful that in the future some of the benefits of this system may filter through to a ‘terrestrial’ commercial model aimed at the hobbyists and niche users who may want to 3D print metal as well as the established polymer systems,” added Dr Carter.
Dr Luke Carter
Dr Luke Carter
“The system could potentially offer a very cost effective solution to 3D printing aluminium compared to the current solutions for metal 3D printing, typically Selective Laser Melting, which costs several hundred thousand pounds to buy and require expensive infrastructure to operate.”
Though there is much more testing to be carried out over the coming years, Dr Carter and his colleagues are confident the system will lower barriers currently associated with additive metal processes. Because of the tests that still need to be tried on the printer, a space-based system is still a few years away. Despite this, Dr Carter has still been impressed by the ‘step forward’ in development over recent months.
“We have come back to the lab with a large amount of data relating to how the system operates as well as our experimental experiences of its behaviour in (zero gravity),” said Dr Carter. “From this we are looking to refine the design to remove those niggling bugs that are always present in an early prototype. From this point we will once again be working closely with the ESA to establish how best to move forward. I think that it is realistic to imagine that an International Space Station compatible system could be in place by 2020, subject to a smooth programme of research.”
So far, the research and development, which has been funded by the ESA, has taken three years.
