INDUSTRY REPORT
Manufacturing technologies in focus
On 21 June 2023 , the U . S . Department of Defence showcased more than 80 technologies critical to national defence during a demonstration event at the Pentagon . Hosted by the U . S . Department of Defence Manufacturing Technology Programme , also known as DOD ManTech , the meet-and-greet event featured advanced manufacturing technologies from its nine Manufacturing Innovation Institutes and the Service ManTech Programmes ( including Navy ; Air Force ; Missile Defence Agency and the Defence Logistics Agency ).
The showcase featured more than 85 technologies , including an additively manufactured ( AM ) rocket nozzle made from a copper alloy that demonstrates the unique geometries and part consolidation possible from AM . It is also presented a Squitex Fabric sample , a strong and self-healing material from fibre based on a unique protein structure originally found in the tentacles of the squid , and a Space Thruster Tile example ( which is hardware comprised of metal , ceramics and glass made through advanced manufacturing processes ).
Also on display was a Porcine Decellularised Heart , scaffolding for human heart cells ; and the ‘ Aircraft System Components Using Flexible Hybrid Electronics for Expanded Multi-Mission Operation ’, which is a multifunctional flexible hybrid electronic “ skin ” containing flexible radar systems , a 4G communication antenna , a flexible solar cell and battery stack as well as indicator lighting for the state of the flexible batteries .
Additive manufacturing is gaining ground in defence applications . The Intrepid Expeditionary 3D Printer can print critical parts in the field . This U . S . project , led by Craitor , will utilise current capabilities as the foundation to de-risk manufacturing at the point of need through established standards and procedures and to form a framework for future manufacturing ecosystems . The nRugged™ tool project , an integrated and ruggedised " factory in a box ," employs additive electronics and mechanical part manufacturing to replace and repair damaged hardware at austere points of need .
A new U . S . defence project , using SPPE3D metal printing technology , aims to successfully 3D-print metal parts in a sub-freezing environment that are equivalent in quality to the same parts printed , on the same technology , in a lab environment . n
Additive manufacturing is gaining ground in defence applications
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Echo Ranger autonomous underwater vehicle or AUV ( image : Boeing ).
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ISMR July / August 2023 | ismr . net | 25