Defense
The Top 10 Additive Manufacturing Stories of 2024
Defense, space exploration, thermal management — these are some of the topics that captured the Additive Manufacturing audience’s interest in 2024. But there’s also an overarching theme: Don't wait for additive manufacturing to be perfect. Instead, leverage the applications perfect for AM.
Jodee McElfresh
Digital Associate Editor, Additive Manufacturing and CompositesWorld
AML3D Opens US Tech Center with Advanced AM
AML3D Limited announces its U.S. technology center in Stow, Ohio (‘Stow’) is now fully operational.
Read MoreConsortium Building Metal 3D Printer With Large-Scale Build Volume, Enhanced Productivity
With dimensions up to 1.5 × 1.5 × 2 m, the printer is designed to offer a 12 times larger build volume and a 300% productivity boost compared to current AddUp machines.
Read MoreBeehive Industries Awarded $12.4M Defense Contract for 30 3D Printed Jet Engines
The aim of Beehive’s project is to demonstrate the value of its additive manufacturing methods to produce engines faster and more affordably without compromising performance.
Read MoreUS Navy Successfully Utilizes Additec’s Liquid Metal Jetting Technology While Afloat
The U.S. Navy successfully used a Liquid Metal Jetting (LMJ) 3D printer aboard one of its vessels, enabling them to print high-strength aluminum alloy parts on-demand while in port. This innovation can change how critical parts are manufactured in remote or challenging environments to potentially reshape naval operations.
Read MoreThis Year I Have Seen a Lot of AM for the Military — What Is Going On?
Audience members have similar questions. What is the Department of Defense’s interest in making hardware via 3D printing over conventional methods? Here are three manufacturing concerns that are particular to the military.
Read MoreBeehive Industries Is Going Big on Small-Scale Engines Made Through Additive Manufacturing
Backed by decades of experience in both aviation and additive, the company is now laser-focused on a single goal: developing, proving and scaling production of engines providing 5,000 lbs of thrust or less.
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JuggerBot 3D Chooses Research Partners for Air Force Large-Format Hybrid Additive Manufacturing Project
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Mississippi State University’s Advanced Composite Institute have been selected to assist in the research and technical development of production workflows using thermoplastic and thermoset deposition.
Read MoreEndeavor 3D Earns International Traffic in Arms Registration
Endeavor 3D strengthens its technology capabilities and operational systems to better support the U.S. defense industrial base as well as energy and supply chain manufacturing services.
Read MoreAirtech and Ascent Aerospace Collaborate to Promote Additive Manufacturing Tooling in Aerospace, Defense
By combining Airtech’s high-performance materials and Ascent’s production capabilities, the companies aim to support the adoption of polymer composite additive tooling to some of the most demanding applications and customers in the world.
Read MoreUS Army Tests Additive Manufacturing for Printing Vehicle Repair Parts in the Field
Spee3D participates in successful demonstration with the Army Research Lab to validate the use of additive manufacturing for creating military vehicle repair parts in the field at the point of need.
Read MoreAM Materials Consortium Selects Partners for LPBF Fabrication and Testing
The consortium is developing open LPBF parameter sets to streamline machine, material and process qualification, with the goal of expediting customers’ process development leading to serial production.
Read MoreFor Coast Guard, AM Adoption Begins With “MacGyver-ish” Crew Members Who Are Using 3D Printing Already
AM suits the Coast Guard’s culture of shipboard problem-solving, says Surface Fleet AM lead. Here is how 3D printers on ships promise to deliver not just substantial cost savings but also an aid to crew capabilities and morale.
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America Makes Names 2024 Ambassador Award Winners
The Ambassador Award Program recognizes individuals who have continually demonstrated outstanding dedication to advancing America Makes and its mission to innovate and accelerate additive manufacturing to increase the nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness.
Read MoreSpee3D Successfully Tests Metal AM System During DOD’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise
Spee3D’s Expeditionary Manufacturing Unit (EMU) printed 11 metal parts for repair and replacement of defense equipment in a contested environment to prove that AM can help secure military supply chains by reducing the delivery time of critical parts from days to hours and at the point of need.
Read MoreSupernova Creates Defense and Space Business Unit to Develop 3D Printing of Military-Grade Energetic Materials
Target applications for the new business unit include solid rocket motors which are critical components for the next-generation hypersonic platforms.
Read MoreNCDMM Enhances CORE Platform, Debuts Roadmapper 2.0 Data Tool
The CORE online platform helps members identify, access and utilize intellectual capital assets that align with the group’s Technology Development Roadmap, while Roadmapper 2.0 complements CORE, enabling the sharing of interactive, digital road maps.
Read More6K Additive Selected for Powder and Process Optimization Research Project
The project is designed to prove the sustainability and environmental benefits of additive manufacturing for next-generation production of aerospace and defense products with 6K Additive working alongside RTX Technology Research Center and the University of Arizona.
Read MoreNikon Corp. Opens California Technology Center to Provide Customer Support
The center offers a variety of solutions and services aimed at accelerating customer adoption, scaling and supply chain in metal additive manufacturing.
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America Makes Names Winners of $6M Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing Project
Recipients of the PADAM project award are tasked with establishing repeatable and reproducible AM metal operations focused on operational, product, and installation metal material qualifications. Below is the list of award winners:
Read MoreThink Tank, US Navy Announce Plans for Developing Guam Additive Materials and Manufacturing Accelerator
Nonprofit organization ASTRO America will manage staging and deployment of 3D Printing Technology and Workforce Education Center on Guam to diversify the island’s economy and support Indo-Pacific submarine industrial base needs.
Read MoreNikon Reorganizes and Rebrands Morf3D Subsidiary to Create Nikon AM Synergy
The transformation includes new leadership and a reorganization that shifts away from the former general-purpose contract manufacturing service bureau business.
Read MoreBig Metal Additive: The Difference Between a Shape and a Part Is Quality
Preparing to scale directed energy deposition to ongoing full production is not a technological challenge: DED is ready. But it is an organizational challenge, says the company founder. Here is what it means to implement a quality system.
Read MoreVideo: 5" Diameter Navy Artillery Rounds Made Through Robot Directed Energy Deposition (DED) Instead of Forging
Big Metal Additive conceives additive manufacturing production factory making hundreds of Navy projectile housings per day.
Read MoreSpee3D Opens US-Based Manufacturing Facility and Applications Center
The U.S. location enables Spee3D to closely collaborate more readily with North American customers, including the U.S. Department of Defense.
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