Additive Manufacturing: From Form to Function
Abstract
This article explores the status and opportunity space of additive manufacturing (AM) for defense efforts, while explaining its shaping for multidomain (land, air, maritime, space, and cyberspace) applications through strategic and operational agility. As an efficient tool for design reiteration and rapid prototyping, AM is changing the landscape of the US manufacturing base. Technological advances in the private sector are being implemented into national defense efforts, including investment in a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI).However, for AM to be considered a game changing technology, increases in functionality of the fundamental building-block materials and printer configurations are needed to enable the most revolutionary applications. Simply put, the vision is to move additive manufacturing technology from form to function. In this way, AM can be increasingly used in military mission areas such as logistics, sustainment, and modular weapons development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1018294
Entities
People
- Amanda M. Schrand
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory