Elementum 3D Assists NASA HUNCH Program

NASA reports that some months have passed since the organization launched the Lunar Additive Manufacturing project through its HUNCH program. The competitors list is now down to six high schools, according to NASA. The additive manufacturing (AM) project challenges high school students to design and present innovative AM designs to solve real-world product development in diverse areas.

Of note, Elementum 3D was selected as the HUNCH program official AM material supplier and its laser powder bed fusion printer was designated for this project.

NASA relies on innovation in software, hardware, biomedical science, and even culinary, as well as tarp stakes. One of the biggest problems with being on the moon is the dust rising while walking on its surface. The remedy may be securing tarps with stakes designed by high school students. The tarps will act as sidewalks to reduce the dust the astronauts encounter, according to NASA.

The lunar AM project objective is to design, 3D print, and test a stake that is anchored in lunar regolith by astronauts wearing a pressurized space suit. The stake designs are judged on the amount of material used to 3D print a high strength, lightweight aluminum stake using the least amount of support material to successfully print the design. The stake will then be tested on its ability to be drilled into a lunar regolith simulant and how much force is needed to pull the 6-in.-long stakes out of the mortar mix used to simulate the moon’s surface.

The project is now in its final stage. The judges have narrowed the designs to the following six high schools: Chatfield 1, Clear Creek 1, Chatfield 2, Jackson Hole, Erie, and Clear Creek 2.

The Lunar Additive Manufacturing project is one of many that fall under the HUNCH program mission, which is to empower and inspire high school students through a project-based learning program. Assisting in launching students careers through participation in the HUNCH program continues Elementum 3D’s initiative to support the advancement of young minds.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.