14 DAY TRIAL // 3D printing technology is already leaving an imprint on every layer of the industry. Even astronomy seems to be benefiting.
To get right to the point, the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, located in Chile, was made with 3D printing.
Well, not completely. Really, not nearly completely.
Still, the VLT was able to produce two essential components very cheaply and quickly, thanks to 3D printing.
One of the components is a new sensor arm that will work with the ESO MUSE instrument ( a panoramic integral-field spectrograph for studying galaxies) and an optics module that will be installed in 2015 (enhances the MUSE).
The other component is (or will be) a spacer for the VLT's test camera.
The former was made by German large-scale 3D printer manufacturer voxeljet. Well, a model of the part was made, and will be cast in a thermoplastic, polymethlmethacrylate.
The second is being handled by German metal casting company ACTech GmbH.