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pcernie
Legend
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:30 pm Posts: 45931 Location: Belfast
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_________________Plain English advice on everything money, purchase and service related:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
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Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:34 pm |
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jonbwfc
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:26 pm Posts: 17040
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Get back to me when it can print a cup of Earl Grey.
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Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:55 pm |
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Amnesia10
Legend
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:02 am Posts: 29240 Location: Guantanamo Bay (thanks bobbdobbs)
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It might solve the problems that Apollo 13 suffered. It does make a lot of sense for emergencies. It would be very handy to build spare parts. It would make resupply easier.
_________________Do concentrate, 007... "You are gifted. Mine is bordering on seven seconds." https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTg5MzczNTkhttp://astore.amazon.co.uk/wwwx404couk-21
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Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:57 pm |
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l3v1ck
What's a life?
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:21 am Posts: 12700 Location: The Right Side of the Pennines (metaphorically & geographically)
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I think they're over stating the usefulness in that report. It's not as if it can print circuit boards and chips needed for equipment replacements or 'mini satellites' as they put it. They can't print food to reduce rationing either. Not unless the astronauts want to eat the same crap every day, just in a different shape.
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Sat Oct 05, 2013 5:33 am |
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l3v1ck
What's a life?
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:21 am Posts: 12700 Location: The Right Side of the Pennines (metaphorically & geographically)
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How would a 3D printer solve an unknown manufacturing defect leading to an explosion with no warning? And how long would it take to print the repair parts even if they could diagnose the problem. Maybe they could print a correct shape CO2 filter for the LEM, if they could get the chemicals they need out of the other ones.
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Sat Oct 05, 2013 5:45 am |
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rustybucket
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:10 pm Posts: 5837
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Exactly how many mission-critical parts are made out of plastic?
_________________Jim
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Sat Oct 05, 2013 7:31 am |
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Spreadie
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:06 pm Posts: 6355 Location: IoW
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The ISS has a lab, I'd imagine the printer will come in useful for producing pieces for experiments. It's rather silly to assume that everything up there is there solely to maintain the infrastructure of the station.
_________________ Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes!
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Sat Oct 05, 2013 11:22 am |
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Amnesia10
Legend
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:02 am Posts: 29240 Location: Guantanamo Bay (thanks bobbdobbs)
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Yes but in emergency you only have to make it last as long as necessary while they evacuate the space station.
_________________Do concentrate, 007... "You are gifted. Mine is bordering on seven seconds." https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTg5MzczNTkhttp://astore.amazon.co.uk/wwwx404couk-21
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Sat Oct 05, 2013 4:02 pm |
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