Long March 5B received an upgraded manned spaceship test boat and a modified inflatable cargo return room test cabin. It was launched at 18:00 GMT on May 5, 2020.
An “3D Printer” was also added to the ship’s new-generation manned satellitecraft test. China’s 3D printing experiments in space are the first of its kind. This also represents an international 3D printing trial for continuous fiber-reinforced, composite materials. How did it print the spaceship’s composite materials?
China developed a composite space 3D printing technology that could be carried onto the ship. These “3D printers” were installed by the researchers in the back cabin of the test boat. During flight, continuous fiber enhancement sample printing was completed by the system. The results were verified to meet scientific experiment goals.
As far as spacecraft structure construction is concerned, continuous fiber-reinforced carbon materials are the best materials. This research is on space 3D printing technology. Development of space super large structures in orbit is essential for future long-term space station operation.
The main components of current spacecraft structures are made from continuous fibre-reinforced carbon materials. This research is vital for long-term space station operation and future development of high-volume space structures. .
The Space Application Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences’ stereolithography 3D printer technology is utilized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences to create metal / ceramic composite material on-orbit using precision of microns.
Space 3D-printing research of China’s Space Application Center of Sciences. Reports indicate that the Long March 5B rocket placed China’s new-generation maneuverable spacecraft test ship in an orbit. This is a promising research area for China’s 3D printing technology. Space Application Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences developed “On orbit fine forming experimental device”. This will enable space manufacturers to increase their manufacturing accuracy. Stereolithography is challenged by space weightlessness. An ordinary printing paste won’t hold its form in space weightlessness. Additionally, wall climbing can lead to liquid level fluctuations. Over 100 tests conducted under microgravity, at home as well as abroad, the rheological and internal behavior of the Slurry were determined. Its yield strength resists deformation, inhibites wall climbing, can restore good fluidity when subjected to greater shear forces and allows smooth 3D printing.
The Key Laboratory of Space Manufacturing Technology of Chinese Academy of Sciences was able to test 3D printing under microgravity. The CAS Key Laboratory of Space Manufacturing Technology (SMT), is believed to have been established towards the end of 2017. The technology center is a scientific research unit that researches on “space manufacturing technologies”. In June 2018, scientists at the Key Laboratory of Space Manufacturing Technology of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Dubendorf in Switzerland successfully performed the first international stereolithography of clay materials in a microgravity atmosphere using European weightless airplanes.
Samples of light-cured ceramic 3D-printed ceramic under microgravity
Space 3D printers: Their role and benefits Space 3D printers can be used to make manufacturing (that is, file design) procedures and sent them by email from the International Space Station. The process itself takes only a few days and is finished in about four hours. It is also worth the time and transportation savings that space 3D printing offers. Each part of the complex space station, base, or spacecraft system is composed of multiple parts. Although the system strives to achieve reliability, problems can still arise such as damage to parts and upgrades. Prefabricated parts can significantly increase launch costs. To use 3D printing in space, it is necessary to only bring raw materials along with light-weight printers into space. The goal of this technology is to reduce launch weight, increase efficiency and minimize spacecraft’s overall mass. If humans have access to the resources they need on the other side of the planet, then space-based “parts factories” will also be possible. Spacecraft can thus launch lighter and can save more space.
FDM melt Extrusion is the technology used in space 3D printing at NASA International Space Station, the United States. Heat the nozzle until the polymer wire becomes liquid. It is then extruded through mechanical force. Layer by layer. NASA. NASA introduced the concept of space manufacturing in 2014 when it brought its first 3D printer into orbit. 3D printing in space requires a completely different working environment to that found on Earth. While 3D printing can still be done on the ground, which relies heavily upon gravity, it is possible to deposit the heat-extruded plastic, metal or any other material by the printer layer by layer. You will need to adjust the speed of the centrifuge to help the machine run smoother under zero gravity. The original 3D-printing technology was developed on Earth. However, this is easy to transfer to Mars and Moon with the microgravity environment.
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China successfully completed the first space 3D printing.
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