Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to 3d printers have been oversold

What about mechanical vs electronic?

I thought I read somewhere, maybe in a science journal or maybe in a sci fi book, that space is safer when using mechanical hardware because it is easier to fix. Also seems that would be easier to 3D print. Obviously not everything can be mechanical but as much as possible should be.

But 3D printing is advancing faster than you think with circuits, sensors, resistors, capacitors. Of course, not with materials we know are on the moon at this time. It is done with conductive and dielectric inks.

But just sayin'.

Also, 3D printing of chip processors is actually transitioning from theoretical to an emerging technology. Companies are developing methods to print at 100nm resolution. Some methods, like Holographic Metasurface Nano-Lithography, even allow for more complex designs that are difficult with traditional methods.

I'm certainly not an expert on the subject, but don't dismiss 3D printing as completely out of hand.

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