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FDM printing in space: Workpieces are already being printed on the ISS
The history of 3D printing in space began in September 2014, at the international ISS space stationwhere the the only 3D printer to date is located outside of the earth’s gravitational field. This works with a technology that our 3D printing service from Wiesbaden and Thun/Switzerland also offers: FDM printing, also known as fusion layering. Thanks to this widespread 3D printing process, missing and, above all, broken tools no longer have to be expensively imported from Earth, but they can now be reprinted directly on site, in the ISS.
More specifically, this particular FDM 3D printer is a shiny box, the size of a small microwave oven, which is due to be replaced by a successor 3D printer as early as 2016 (more on that below).
The first space-capable 3D printer was developed by NASA engineer Niki Werkheiser in 2013/14. When “3D Printing In Zero-G Project Manager” (= 3D printing in zero gravity project manager), Werkheiser, who has been working for the US space agency since 2007, took over responsibility for the first space-compatible 3D printer from August 2012.
September to December 2014: The beginnings of FDM printing on the ISS
On September 23, 2014, the time had finally come: the metal 3D printer developed by Niki Werkheiser and her team made it to the ISS on board a supply flight. The history of 3D printing in space could begin.
However, it should now take almost 2 months, namely until November 17, 2014, until the FDM 3D printer designed for the ISS should finally be installed. A good 1 more week went by in the country (or in space) until on November 25th, 2014 the US astronaut Barry Wilmore was finally given the honor of producing the first 3D printed object in space. It was one front panel for your own extruder, with the printed words “Made in Space”.
2 days before Christmas, on December 22, 2014, the metal 3D printer on the ISS was finally able to start regular operation. On this day, the ISS crew succeeded for the first time in using model data sent by NASA wrench print out, whereby the actual 3D printing process took about 4 hours.
2015: FDM print objects from the ISS are tested on Earth
So 2015 can now go down as the first year in 3D printed spaceflight history as a new normal for astronauts. First of all, the 25 objects previously 3D printed on the ISS were brought back to earth in February 2015, where they are now being checked at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center using various test methods.
March 2016: A new 3D printer is coming to the ISS
At the end of March 2016, a second, improved 3D printer arrived on the ISS. This FDM printer offers eight times more space than its predecessor and a significantly higher resolution. In addition, this ISS printer prints at an even higher speed than No.1 and can also process even more materials.
The next chapter of 3D printing in orbit is said to be a 2-in-1 printer, “Refabricator” called, which will be characterized by an integrated recycling system. NASA announced corresponding plans at the end of June 2016.
In the event that you need 3D prints of a similar kind for earthly purposes, the 3D printing service from 3D Activation from Wiesbaden and Thun/Switzerland is at your disposal. You can find more detailed information about our offers on our website or contact our customer service directly, which you can also reach in this way.
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