Summary: I thought 3D printing with the plastic stuff was cool, but now the European Space Agency has plans to 3D print metal parts for spacecraft and even nuclear fusion projects. This is all being done by the Amaze project, a very fitting title I think. And this isn't a dream for the future, they have already been printing with this tungsten alloy. They have already printed metal jet engine parts and airplane wings 2m in size. How cool is that?! The part that makes this so successful, though, in addition to it being a good investment, is how little waste it has. Zero waste in fact. Because of the layering method of building rather than casting, Esa's Franco Ongara says, "To produce one kilo of metal, you use one kilo of metal - not 20 kilos." In addition, since you can print objects as a single piece, you have no need for welding and bolting which makes it heavier and weaker. Ultimately they aim to be able to print a satellite in one piece that would slash costs in half.
BBC News
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