[amsat-bb] Hamsat uses for a 3d printer?

[David G0MRF]

Hi Andy
 
If you have a look at the current edition of Oscar News from AMSAT-UK, you'll see that
our team working on the payload for the ESEO satellite have used 3D printing to produce a model 
of the payload enclosure.
I believe the original computer modelling used STEP files to generate all of the drawings and that these were then
adapted for use with the 3D printer.
The final enclosure for the L band to VHF  FM transponder has to be milled from a solid block. As we didn't
want to do that job twice (250 x 100 x 50mm and expensive) it made perfect sense to produce one with 3D printing
to ensure that all the mountings and cut-outs were in the correct position.

Thanks

David  G0MRF
 
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: andy thomas <andythomasmail at yahoo.co.uk>
To: amsat <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Thu, 29 Jan 2015 13:41
Subject: [amsat-bb] Hamsat uses for a 3d printer?



Hi I am thinking of investing in a 3D printer or using one at our local 
makespace. Here in the UK a magazine is offering a weekly build-by-component 
series to make a 3d printer that will run on a pc or mac and uses DOT stl files 
for the design. A lsow build but an interesting idea nonetheless. I have seen at 
ESTEC 3d printed model plastic cubesats and am aware of the experiment on the 
ISS but do not know the software used or data file format. I was wondering if 
anyone on the -bb has experience of using a 3D printer for outreach or (like 
SATNOGS) for building rotator gears, and if so whether the file extension DOTstl 
is an industry standard for this work? I wonder if the estec and nasa files 
would be reachable by, say, the freedom of information legislation, or would be 
handed over. many thanks 73 de andy g0sfj
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions 
expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of 
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb