According to the company, Freeform 3D Printing eliminates material compared to solid printing. " NASA’s parameters for the habitat challenge led Branch to develop nozzles that can extrude both lattice structures and traditional layers. The company uses basalt fiber-reinforced plastic, informed by materials science research for the challenge.
The challenge required print material to be made of materials like Martian dust and mission recyclables. Tracie Prater, technical manager at NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center, served as a subject matter expert and worked with Branch on a cooperative agreement. She said the agreement explored how on-demand fabrication could produce novel designs for interior items.
Our process eliminates a ton of material from something that otherwise might be printed solid all the way through.
The specific interior items developed under the agreement have not been disclosed.