3d Printing – To The Moon!

COSM Advanced Manufacturing Systems is wrapping up final development and build of electron beam 3D metal printing systems targeting future in-space, lunar, and Martian applications. Funded by an SBIR contract from NASA to support the Artemis program’s return to the Moon the technology addresses the demand for the production of large metal parts autonomously, enabling Mars and Moon missions.

The technology uses an electron beam to deposit metal from a spool of wire into a large complex part and the system automatically monitors and adjusts the 3D print process as it occurs.

COSM has already completed work with NASA Langley on their Electron Beam Free Form Fabrication (EBF3) program. COSM was also previously part of a team representing a public-private partnership to establish a Commercial Infrastructure for Robotic Assembly and Services (CIRAS) in space. CIRAS advances technologies that are the basis for in-orbit manufacturing and assembly of large space structures to help the agency meet its goals for robotic and human exploration of the solar system.