NASA emailed a wrench to space

[PureLeaf]

Article talking about how NASA emailed the 3d plans for a ratchet to the ISS

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-12/19/3d-printed-space-wrench

 

[rusty65]

Interesting thank you for sharing.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[panknuckshovel]

He probably got the email on how to enlarge his tool next

 

[PureLeaf]

I know 3D printing is really dropping in price and becoming more widespread.

As that continues, it'd be great to be able to share files for things like special service tools across a forum like this. Just pop on the forum, download the special tool you need, and print it out.

I assume with the current plastic technology it would be pretty low torque stuff. Least for now.

 

[2oolhound]

I wonder if this is a new type of process. As I understand there are 2 types of 3D printers. One using plastics and another using actual metal particles with a bonding agent. "Made In Space's" proto type uses ABS but they say their new one uses "multiple material capacity" which sounds like the 2nd type, a more expensive patented technology but nothing really new.
Still pretty far out man

 

[ryolse]

Here's a brief video on it from a few months ago. I'm a big fan of it and the gradual push to being able to make replacement and other parts up there.