Science Report
12/13/2014
Julielynn Wong
Project: Testing Functionality of 3D Printed Medical Supplies
Date: 12/13/2014 (out of sim)
Printer type: 3D Systems Cube 2 fused deposition modeling printer
Printer material: ABS thermoplastic
Printed product: finger splints
Location: Engineering airlock (with the downstairs door open and a heater on)
Total print time: 213 minutes
Energy usage per splint: 0.03 kWh for printing the largest splint
Odors/Fumes: none observed
Other notes:
According to the 2013 Cube 2 user guide:
* The printer filament should be stored at a room temperature between
60 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
* The printer should be operated at a room temperature between 60 - 85
degrees Fahrenheit.
The recorded minimum temperatures of the zen room/green hab with three
heaters in use was in the
mid-40s degrees Fahrenheit.
Therefore, I did not use the printer outside in the tunnel to the
observatory or green hab.
In between print runs, I moved the printer on the lab workstation area
on the first level of the habitat
because it was warmer than the engineering airlock.
However, the HOBO indicated that the evening room temperature of the
first level of the habitat was
less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Crew Engineer expressed concerns about leaving the printer
overnight in a cool environment (i.e.,
green hab or first level of habitat). Therefore, when the printer was
not in use, it was stored on the
second level of the habitat where the room temperature was
consistently the warmest during the day
(around 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and night.
Our Crew Engineer may rig up solar panels to charge the 3D printer, if
time permits.
My recommendations:
* Do not use this 3d printer outside during the winter season.
* If future crews opt to use this 3d printer during sim in the
greenhab during the daytime, check the
temperature inside the green hab first. Add extra heaters if necessary.
* Store this printer and filament on the second level of the habitat
because the room temperature of
the green hab and the first level of the habitat can drop below
recommended storage temperatures
during the winter.