Description
As part of NASA’s program to develop a 3D printing process whereby they can send data files necessary to build essential items from Earth into space, back in December, NASA sent up a .STL file so that the team on the International Space Station could build a wrench / spanner.
As Niki Werkheiser, the space station 3-D printer program manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, explains: “For the printer’s final test in this phase of operations, NASA wanted to validate the process for printing on demand, which will be critical on longer journeys to Mars…In less than a week, the ratchet was designed, approved by safety and other NASA reviewers, and the file was sent to space where the printer made the wrench in four hours.”
Eventually the wrench will be returned to Earth for testing to ascertain it performance. The wrench is ~11.4cm long and ~3.3cm wide and was designed by Noah Paul-Gin, an engineer at Made In Space Inc., the company that was contracted to design, build and operate the printer.
So, in keeping with our search for interesting objects to 3D print we provide you here with opportunity to download the same .STL file that was sent to the international space station.
Why not give it a go. We would be very interested in your opinions as to how well it works, what materials work best and we would certainly like to here about your improvements. Please dress up as an astronaut and take a picture of yourself holding the wrench and we will put it in the gallery.
UK Shipping
Orders over 2kg in weight are shipped via DHL Express orders under 2kg are shipped via Royal Mail 48hrs Tracked.
The advantage of flat rate Postage and Packaging to our customers are that if you order 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 spools of filament the price is the same.
p.s. Were sorry about the Highland & Islands shipping costs, it’s a reflection on the increased shipping charges we have to pay.
International Shipping
We do ship internationally but ask if you can contact us to arrange an order as shipping costs can vary greatly depending upon destination and weight. Please see or International orders page for more information.
Returns & Refunds
Firstly, if you want to return a product or you have a faulty product please get in touch as soon as possible!
To prevent ordering incorrect items, if you are unsure just ask and we can offer some guidance. However, bear in mind that we cannot say whether a particular product will be right for the purpose that you intend to use it for.
You can return your goods to iDig3Dprinting for any reason within 14 business days following receipt at your delivery address as long as they are in a re-saleable condition.
Filaments & resins cannot be returned once opened as once exposed to air these items perish.
Downloadable goods and 3D print samples cannot be returned and no refund will be issued.
Shipping costs of returned items are paid by the customer
A full refund will be issued for unopened items that are returned in their original packaging that are in a "as new" re-saleable condition minus additional costs that are incurred by iDig3Dprinting like payment processing fees, custom duties or charges.
We are afraid we cannot issue refunds for products that have been defaced, altered, used, or damaged in any way. All requests for refunds are subject to inspection by iDig3DPrinting of the returned item. We are not a charity or a lending library.
Refunds and returns for faulty items works a bit differently. Faulty goods can be accepted for return upto 60 days from receipt of the goods (However we prefer to offer diagnostics and repair solutions prior to an actual return, its better for the environment). After this time you will need to contact the Manufacturer. A repair or replacement will be issued for faulty goods once they have passed inspection and been found by iDig3Dprinting to be faulty.
This is a brief account of our returns policy. For the full terms please see our Terms and conditions page. Content on the Terms and Conditions page supersedes this content.
How to raise a return request
The main thing is please communicate with us. We are not omnipotent!
We can be quite flexible but this is built upon a foundation of mutual respect between our customers and iDig3Dprinting.
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