6K Additive strengthens US Army with Sustainable 3D Printing Materials

6K Additive, an offshoot of 6K Inc. and a leader in the sustainable production of additive manufacturing materials, has been awarded a five-year blanket purchase agreement (BPA) from the Army Contracting Command. This agreement supports U.S. Army Development Command (DEVCOM) weapons research and development initiatives and is for use at various locations, including Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey and Benet Labs in New York.

6K Additive’s materials, produced by the company’s proprietary UniMelt® microwave plasma platform, facilitate the recycling of end-of-life materials such as scrap and used powders and their conversion into aerospace-quality metal powders.

Lt. Col. Peter J. Stambersky, director of federal affairs at 6K, underscored the strategic importance of the agreement by emphasizing that it provides U.S. Army DEVCOM access to critical U.S.-manufactured additive materials and establishes 6K Additive as a trusted powder partner.

UniMelt plasma production technology is specifically designed to convert high-grade metal scrap into high-performance metal powder for additive manufacturing. In doing so, it provides access to strategically important metals and alloys, including nickel and titanium. This process provides the U.S. military with a secure, traceable domestic supply of critical materials, while eliminating performance anomalies that can result from dubious sources of supply.

Working with 6K Additive brings numerous benefits to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) by reducing the risk of dependence on foreign suppliers and accelerating the development and adoption of advanced additive manufacturing processes. This enables the creation of parts with new functionality, shortening development cycles and accelerating “make-to-fly” cycles.

Using already certified scrap as raw material dramatically reduces the material cost of manufactured parts and ensures they meet desired specifications.

This innovative collaboration between 6K Additive and the U.S. Army is a testament to the advancing influence of sustainable manufacturing materials and technologies in military research and development. Securing a stable, domestic supply of strategic materials not only reduces dependence on uncertain, foreign sources, but also lays a foundation for future, technological developments and advancements.