Desktop manufacturing models

james.husum

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Desktop manufacturing and 3D printers are beginning to emerge as a growing industry. See RepRap - http://www.reprap.org/ and Cupcake CNC - http://www.makerbot.com/ for two examples. The technology allows you to design a model and have it manufactured in a device about the size of a large inkjet / laser printer. Instead of ink it extrudes plastic onto a platform. By layering the plastic objects can be created.

NASA could work with the desktop manufacturing community to design models for use in 3D printers. There are any number of items that could be modeled - rockets, satellites, the Shuttles, the International Space Station. The designs could be released into the public domain for anyone to use.

NASA engineers could also look into helping to develop the technology behind the 3D printers to make them better.

Idea # 219Public Feedback & Involvement, Tools & Strategies..

Comments

gkitmach 6 months ago

This is already done, though usually informally.
http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models.html
http://www.axmpaperspacescalemodels.com/
http://www.mos95b.com/Moon%20Port/
http://www.ss42.com/pt-space.html
Usually they are helped if we provide drawing packages
http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/NNJ08257471R/ISS_Model_AC_compressed_2.ppt
or reference information:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/ISS_Reference_Guide.html

james.husum 6 months ago

While these are all very cool models, they aren't exactly the same as what I've suggested. Even if we are going to leave these as the default models for space enthusiasts, NASA could still help with the design and engineering of the desktop manufacturing technology.

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