SBIR/STTR Award attributes
re:3D Inc. proposes developing a recycling system centered on a 3D printer capable of turning thermoplastic waste generated on orbit into functional and useful objects through the use of material extrusion additive manufacturing (AM).Guided by the analysis of available on-orbit waste streams and their potential printability, a low size, weight and power (SWaP) engineering prototype printer, based on re:3D's Gigabot X (GBX) technology, will be designed and demonstrated. The GBX is a commercial printer capable of printing directly from ground plastic flakes. Printing from flake eliminates the need for the extra space, resources and energy required for an intermediate step of producing filament - the most common approach to recycling plastics for 3D printing. In addition to the prototype printer demonstration, re:3D will deliver the engineering specifications for a low-SWaP integrated recycling system to include waste granulation and other required steps in the waste-to-print AM process.
