1221-ScienceReport

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.