Novel Methods For Effective AM Process Qualification/Re-Qualification Receive Funding
The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and America Makes have announced the winners of the Demonstration of Novel Methods for Effective AM Process Qualification/Re-Qualification – Delta Qualification directed project call worth $3.2M. The effort is funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Additive manufacturing (AM) offers the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and commercial manufacturing sectors groundbreaking opportunities with its ability to quickly produce lightweight designs. However, these benefits cannot yet be fully realized due to the time and cost associated with AM material and machine development and the generation of significant data through testing and analysis needed for qualification/re-qualification. Consequently, the agility of AM processes is hindered, making it challenging to respond to the technological advancements and shifts in the supply chain without first undergoing a costly and time-consuming re-qualification to ensure all rigorous standards for quality and safety continue to be met.
The chosen Delta Qual project teams will tackle these challenges by creating a qualified AM process that offers rapid and affordable flexibility in crucial processes, post-processing, and material feedstock variables, while efficiently validating a qualified AM material through statistical analysis.
“We are excited to announce and celebrate the winners of this project call,” stated Dr. Brandon Ribic, America Makes Technology Director. “Our membership and their collaborative partners consistently impress us with their ability to find dynamic solutions. These cutting-edge industry leaders, researchers, and developers are revolutionizing additive technology and propelling it forward as the future of manufacturing. We have full confidence in their ability to devise optimal solutions to overcome the qualification/re-qualification challenges that slow the expansion of this innovative industry.”
For more information: www.ncdmm.org
