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Not only will ISS be getting a 3D polymer printer for parts etc. on a 2014 Dragon flight, but the European Space Agency AMAZE project intends to provide a metal printer too. Good for materials that need up to 3500°C.
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Hu...ive_revolution
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Hu...ive_revolution
3D printing is getting ready to revolutionise space travel. ESA is paving the way for 3D-printed metals to build high-quality, intricate shapes with massive cost savings. ESA and the European Commission have embarked on a project to perfect the printing of space-quality metal components.
The AMAZE project Additive Manufacturing Aiming Towards Zero Waste & Efficient Production of High-Tech Metal Products involves 28 industrial partners across Europe.
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To get to that future, ESA is looking at five metal additive manufacturing processes. We are focusing on serious engineering components made of very high-tech alloys. We are using lasers, electron beams and even plasma to melt them, explains David. Some of the materials AMAZE works with only melt at 3500°C.
New materials are also a possibility. High-strength and lightweight components can be built by combining exotic and expensive elements such as tungsten, niobium or platinum with no waste. Experts foresee numerous applications on the ground: aircraft wings, jet engines and automotive systems will benefit from the highest quality that AMAZE technology offers. Additive manufacturing is green technology at its best. Aiming towards zero waste production, a kilogram of titanium would go into a kilogram of the end product, which translates into enormous cost savings and energy efficiency.
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The AMAZE project Additive Manufacturing Aiming Towards Zero Waste & Efficient Production of High-Tech Metal Products involves 28 industrial partners across Europe.
>
To get to that future, ESA is looking at five metal additive manufacturing processes. We are focusing on serious engineering components made of very high-tech alloys. We are using lasers, electron beams and even plasma to melt them, explains David. Some of the materials AMAZE works with only melt at 3500°C.
New materials are also a possibility. High-strength and lightweight components can be built by combining exotic and expensive elements such as tungsten, niobium or platinum with no waste. Experts foresee numerous applications on the ground: aircraft wings, jet engines and automotive systems will benefit from the highest quality that AMAZE technology offers. Additive manufacturing is green technology at its best. Aiming towards zero waste production, a kilogram of titanium would go into a kilogram of the end product, which translates into enormous cost savings and energy efficiency.
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