NASA has produced the first 3-D printed student-designed tool on the International Space Station to be used for a variety of tasks such as tightening nuts or bolts and stripping wires.
The space agency said Wednesday University of Alabama sophomore Robert Hillan developed the Mulitpurpose Precision Maintenance Tool as an entry to the Future Engineers Space Tool Challenge.
Niki Werkheiser, NASA 3-D Printer program manager, said the 3-D technology helps build necessary tools in space without having to wait for resupply missions.
NASA said its advanced exploration systems division and partners from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Foundation will continue to promote an ongoing series of Future Engineers 3-D Space Design Challenges for students to use 3-D modeling software to develop new technology for astronauts.
