NASA engineers working at Langley in Virginia have made significant progress bringing "Star Trek"-tech to the modern world with Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication (EBF3) manufacturing technology.
EBF3 is the latest in government-funded, environmentally-friendly construction research and development that works under the motto: "If you can slice it, we can build it."
The applications for the high-tech fabrication method are varied; in the near future advanced fighter jets and medical equipment could all be using parts created from EBF3.
While the technology behind the fabrication is advanced, the process itself is deceptively simple. NASA expert Karen Taminger explains, "you start with a drawing of the part you want to build, you push a button, and out comes the part."
Using electrons and highly specialized plans, NASA is able to create devices and hardware with very little waste. Unlike traditional fabrication methods, EBF3 can make a few small items, without having to use a ton of extraneous material, and without leaving waste.
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