Composite beam cap fabricator experiment definition study, volume 1

Abstract

The Composite Beam Cap Fabricator (CBCF), a part of a family of machines that was designed to develop and augment the technology of space fabrication (the automatic production of basic structural members in space is described. The major components of the CBCF are described. The mill weighs approximately 1400 pounds and its size is approximately 6 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet. It is a microprocessor under a low cost-of-concept type of contract. Consequently, all components are made of commercially available hardware. Neither weight nor volume constraints were considered during the development of the machine. For example, over 3/4 of the volume enclosed by the controller units is empty.