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The European Space Agency (ESA) has published details on a series of 3D printed ceramic objects, manufactured using a simulated lunar regolith. The pieces, made up of small gears, screws and other components, show how 3D printing could one day be used on the moon's surface, using local materials to print the details to support a camp. basic lunar.
Impressively, the newly-unveiled 3D prints have the finest print resolution of any piece made with a simulated lunar regolith – essentially a dust-like material designed to resemble the moon's floor.
Advenit Makaya, Materials Engineer at ESA, commented on this feat: "These pieces have the finest print resolution ever achieved with objects in a regolith simulator, thus demonstrating high accuracy in the accuracy of the work. printing and expanding the range of possible uses. at. If it is necessary to print tools or machine parts to replace broken parts on a lunar base, the accuracy of the dimensions and shape of the printed elements will be essential. "
The small pieces were printed in 3D by ESA in collaboration with Lithoz, an Austrian company specializing in 3D printed ceramics. Although the company usually works with ceramic materials such as aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide and silicon nitride, it has adapted its process to work with the raw regolith simulator for l & # 39; ESA.
The regolite simulator is composed of different types of oxides, including silicon oxide (the predominant material) as well as oxides of aluminum, calcium and iron. These are crushed and sieved until they reach the particle size. During the printing process, they are mixed with a light-reactive binder and deposited layer by layer, and then solidified by exposure to light. Once the printing is complete, the piece is then placed in an oven and sintered, giving a solid and dense object.
"Thanks to our expertise in the additive manufacturing of ceramics, we were able to achieve these results very quickly," added Johannes Homa, CEO of Lithoz. "We believe that the manufacture of ceramic additives for the Moon represents a huge potential."
With the series of 3D printed parts successfully, ESA and Lithoz will continue their collaboration to test the strength and mechanical performance of parts. If they work well, the parts can be a model for spares, printed in 3D on a lunar basis.
The exploration of 3D printing of the lunar regolith is being conducted within the framework of the URBAN project, itself supported by ESA's discovery and preparation program. Interestingly, the space agency is also explore using a simulated regolith as a 3D printing material.
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