NASA is building the world's first 3D-printed space cameras

Subtractive vs Additive Processes


Image by Ѕolo

CNC China Machining: start with a large solid block and remove material to create your part.

3D Printing/Rapid China Prototyping: create the part by binding loose material layer by layer.

Two great tastes that taste great together.

Machined aluminum brick from Bram, printed Alumide brick from me via Shapeways.

NASA is building the world"s first 3D-printed space cameras

Budinoff is also working on a way to build 3D-printed metal mirrors. Mirrors are crucial parts of telescopes, and it may be possible to create them with powdered aluminum. Aluminum is notoriously porous, which makes it difficult to polish. If Budinoff …
Read more on Fox News

NASA to 3D Print An Entire Space Telescope, Minus the Lenses

There will only be four 3D printed parts in Budinoff"s telescope, however, these four parts, which were laser sintered from powdered aluminum and titanium, are replacing anywhere from 20-40 conventional parts. Additionally, the parts can be much more …
Read more on 3DPrint.com

NASA engineer developing 3D printed space cameras

Specifically, a 3D printed 2- in. camera design involves the fabrication of four different pieces made from powdered aluminum and titanium, but a traditionally-manufactured camera would require between five and 10 times the number of parts. In addition …
Read more on Vision Systems Design