NASA successfully tests 3D-printed rocket part

Using the traditional manufacturing process, NASA says that it would have taken one year to build this part. With 3D printing the total time needed to make the part has been slashed to four months, reducing costs by 70 percent.

NASA used the selective laser melting manufacturing technology, a type of additive manufacturing, in which high-powered laser beams are used to melt and fuse together tiny metallic powders into 3D objects.

Of course, it’s not the first time additive manufacturing has been used by NASA, just not for such an important part.

By Tyler Falk

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