[LargeTomato]

It is a shame we're seeing a divestment in 3D printing technologies. Relativity Space recently descoped their entire 3D printing department, but I believe they still may be using some commercially-acquired printers.

I hope we can see someone else take up the mantle on complex 3D printing manufacturing. There's an Indian space company that is trying to do what Relativity did. I hope it works out for them.

[bbarn]

It's been amazing to watch the 3D printing space grow as far as it has. In just the last 10-20 years it's gone from something only dedicated people were able to build and get reasonable results to high precision devices any hobbyist can get their hands on for a few hundred bucks.

I have two resin printers and a PLA printer and I never expected at-home capability to get this far this fast.

But, that's still all effectively plastic we're talking about. I think the problem with metals is still well.. metals. The same types of metallurgy needed for 3D printing have been researched and hit almost a dead end with injection molding (I know there are some metal injection molding systems out there, but it's not hit anywhere near the strength of machined steel yet)

[ok123456]

People are 3d printing metal right now with LPBF, DED, and Wire EDM. For LPBF the challenge is controlling keyholing and lack of fusion defects through the process parameters.

[thimkerbell]

BBarn, how far along are the circularity tools, can I turn clean used plastic jugs back into feedstock worth using to make 3D stuff?

[nickpinkston]

I thought Relativity Space pulled back on their use of 3D printing for the major fuselage parts, saving it more for the engine components, etc., which SpaceX was already doing.

[LargeTomato]

I believe you are correct. Relativity is now only printing engines, just like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Astra, Firefly, Stoke, and others. They are no longer a company driving forward 3D printing technology and that's too bad.

[puppycodes]

- "It is a shame we're seeing a divestment in 3D printing technologies."

Is there other data to support that claim we can browse? I was under the impression the opposite was true but would love to know more if i'm missing something.

[iancmceachern]

Check out Mantle