Case Study: Trinity University achieves accelerated design testing for NASA with Protolabs

Trinity University selects Protolabs to accelerate Design tests for NASA

Trinity University tasked a freshman engineering team with building the SHARC, an astronaut‑operable tool for NASA’s MicroG NExT program, but their in‑house FDM 3D‑printed ABS prototypes lacked the strength required for simulated spacewalk testing at Johnson Space Center. The team turned to Protolabs for industrial‑grade parts, leveraging Protolabs’ CNC machining and selective laser sintering (SLS) capabilities.

Protolabs manufactured machined aluminum retention pins and covers plus commercial‑grade, glass‑filled nylon SLS components (arms, slide, plate, handguard), giving the SHARC the durability needed for the Neutral Buoyancy Lab trials. The device performed well throughout the June tests with astronauts, enabling Trinity University to complete NASA testing, advance the project toward possible operational use, and proceed with a technical paper and outreach—thanks to Protolabs’ parts.

Trinity University

Jack Leifer

Associate Professor of Engineering Science