Selective Laser Melting at Marshall

On Feb. 22, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden visited the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing Rapid Prototyping Facility at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., where engineers are using a 3D printing process called "selective laser melting" -- seen here being applied to a prototype rocket engine part -- to create complex, full-scale rocket-engine parts without welding. The use of 3D printing and prototyping technologies like this one is critical to NASA's development of the Space Launch System, the next-generation rocket that will launch astronauts to more distant destinations than ever before. A video of selective laser melting in action is available at http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=154931531

Image credit: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given

› Photo #2: Selective Laser Melting at Marshall
› Photo #3: Bolden Visits National Center for Advanced Manufacturing
› Video: Selective Laser Melting