Acquisition of a Laser Powder Bed Fusion System to Transform the Additive Manufacturing Value Chain
Abstract
Deploying metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies in expeditionary environments has the capability to bring parts to the warfighter more quickly and cost effectively as it could lighten the logistical load and shorten the supply chain. However, to realize this DoD-wide goal, substantial research and development is needed to address the technology~s current limitations, which exist at every facet of the AM value chain. Specifically, research is needed to increase the materials selection, to create new design for AM tools and methods, to enhance part quality through process-property-structure models, in-situ monitoring and post-processing techniques, and to secure the platforms from cyber-physical vulnerabilities. In addition, effort is needed to create the next-generation workforce and warfighter that is well-suited to work with, and continue to adapt, these technologies to new applications.A multi-disciplinary team of researchers at Virginia Tech is seeking the acquisition of a reactive metal, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) AM system to enable multi-disciplinary research and education across the entire value chain of AM. Such an acquisition would immediately contribute to seven existing ONR and AFOSR sponsored programs, including a MURI and two YIP awards. Specifically, the system will be used in projects spanning topics related to (i) creating novel printable materials (e.g., metal matrix-graphene composites and electromagnetics for energy harvesting applications), (ii) exploring new design tools and methods for realization of mechanical metamaterials, (iii) addressing part quality deficiencies via ion-situ monitoring and Parameter- State-Quality characterization, and (iv) researching novel methods for addressing AM cyberphysical security vulnerabilities. In addition, the team will integrate the AM system into their existing AM curricula (which serves ~700 undergraduate and 150 graduate students each year), K12 STEM outreach, and professional short courses for industrial partners and federal research laboratories.The proposed LPBF AM system will add new capacity for metal AM to VT~s existing, polymer-focused AM facilities. When combined with VT~s Hot Isostatic Press system, the LPBF machine will provide a unique facility for academic research into the effects of LPBF/HIP process parameters on final part quality. Overall, the system will contribute to VT~s continued long-term service to the DoD mission and will facilitate additional collaborative research through AM-focusedpartnerships/CRADAs with the Army Research Lab, NSWC Dahlgren, and NSWCCarderock.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 25, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912260
Entities
People
- Christopher B Williams
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Virginia Tech