Velo3D, a company specializing in metal-based 3D printing, has announced a research and development collaboration with two US Navy facilities. Together with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) and the Fleet Readiness Center East (FRC East), additive manufacturing for military aviation applications will be further developed over the next four years. The focus is on the qualification of high-performance components that must meet the demanding requirements of the defense sector.
“This CRADA with NAWCAD and FRC East represents a significant milestone in advancing our ability to provide precise, repeatable and scalable additive manufacturing solutions for the defense industry,” Arun Jeldi, Chief Executive Officer for Velo3D. “By focusing on engineering-driven solutions, we are helping to bridge the gap toward qualifying AM flight hardware and enabling the production of mission-critical parts that meet the stringent reliability and performance demands of defense applications.”
As part of the agreement, new materials for use in aircraft are to be tested and their behavior in the additive manufacturing process investigated. The aim is to establish reproducible processes with which complex components can be manufactured reliably and with consistent quality. Velo3D is contributing its Sapphire printer series and the associated process control technology, which enables the largely support structure-free production of complex geometries.
“The collaboration brings together the shared expertise of NAVAIR and Velo3D to develop and expand the application of additive manufacturing technology for sustainment of Naval aviation platforms,” Paul Charron, Additive Manufacturing Lead, Fleet Readiness Center East, NAVAIR. “The utilization of advanced technology, such as AM, drives positive fleet outcomes including improved mission readiness and increased system performance.”
Metal Binder Jetting: The Key to Efficient Tool Manufacturing? - Exclusive Insights from INDO-MIM
Fill out the form and get instant access to an exclusive webinar on HP's Metal Binder Jetting 3D printing technology with exciting insights from INDO-MIM.Subscribe to our Newsletter
3DPresso is a weekly newsletter that links to the most exciting global stories from the 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry.
