For some reason, I thought that the International Space Station already had 3D printers. Guess not. I’m sure their 3D printers cost a bit more than my Makerbot Replicator, but then again, mine has trouble completing a build in Earth gravity, much less micro gravity.
The 3D printer’s output looks just like what mine outputs.
How NASA Will Use 3D Printers In Orbit
The only think I take contention with in the video is the fact that they said they’re making the stuff pretty much out of thin air. You still need the raw material ABS, PLA or whatever. I think they were saying they didn’t have to have specific spare parts, but I’m willing to bet there’s not going to be any cost savings in sending a bunch of ABS, PLA, etc. to the ISS. In fact, a they’ll always have wasted material in 3D printing that might make it cost more.
The real benefit comes in basically having the ability to create a whole catalog of parts, rather than having spare parts of the whole catalog.