Additive Manufacturing Focus Area
Abstract
This focus area will develop the enabling capabilities and key technologies required to advance additive manufacturing technology to meet specific warfighter needs. Additive manufacturing projects are those that use processes in which successive layers of material are laid down under computer control to create functional three dimensional products. Additive manufacturing allows for rapid prototyping and iterative innovation, removing barriers for technology insertion. Due to increased speed from design to prototype, reduced cost, and reduced waste additive manufacturing provides a unique supporting capability for the Third Offset Strategy. Additive manufacturing capabilities are rapidly developing in industry and other government agencies. The Rapid Reaction Technology Office will leverage commercial innovation and emerging capabilities of the Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), government laboratories, and academia to develop proof-of-principle prototypes focused on warfighter needs. Projects include spare part replacement, jet engine repair, custom hardware enclosures, and three-dimensional (3-D) models. Projects have the potential to significantly reduce the supply chain inefficiencies by storing parts as software and manufacturing on demand, and using rapid prototyping to reduce time and cost of design. Projects can also reduce amount of labor required to produce functioning prototypes. Deliverables will inform enhancement decisions and concept of operations development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Source ID
- 9540d9d15c989931b02650b10b8e7920