After securing over $1 million in funding through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and America Makes, 3D Systems has increased its involvement in the defense and aerospace even further. A new $1.3 million contract managed by America Makes and funded by the AFRL will see 3D Systems design, construct, and test a 3D printed aircraft heat exchanger. The heat exchanger will 3D printed using 3D Systems’ Direct Metal Printing (DMP) technology in addition to Penn State’s Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition (CIMP-3D).
The project will launch in the middle of this year, building upon 3DS’ original research to improve quality control in metal 3D printing for aerospace and defense applications. The heat exchanger will not only allow 3DS to enter the multibillioin-dollar heat exchanger market, but also contribute to the work of America Makes members, many of which are defense and aerospace companies. Moreover, the project may see 3DS’ 3D printing integrated into Honeywell’s supply chain.
America Makes Deputy Director of Technology Development John Wilczynski said of the contract, “Additive manufacturing offers design freedoms that are simply not possible using traditional manufacturing process. The teaming by America Makes with industry leaders and researchers that possess substantial experience in heat exchangers and 3D printing will allow us to explore higher-performing and lower-cost conformal parts. As a result, both the Air Force and the defense industry are poised to benefit greatly from this directed project.”
Neal Orringer, Vice President of Alliances & Partnerships at 3DS, added, “3DS’ Direct Metal Printing technology is second-to-none. This contract selection will allow our team to deliver to the Air Force innovative, high-performing heat exchangers, and will provide valuable data on part strength, pressure resistance and performance.”
I’ve long since noted that America Makes would be a method for facilitating business relationships between the defense community and 3D printing companies and, since the addition of Orringer – who previously managed the budget for the Department of Defense – its seems that 3D Systems has been able to expand its role in the defense industry. For those worried about the 3DS’ performance on the stock market, these more recent announcements should be reassuring, in that “the Department of Defense”, according to William Hartung of the Center for International Policy, “currently spends over $150 billion per year on procurement and research and development, more than any other country in the world spends on its entire military.” Though those less interested in the company’s stock and more interested in conflict exacerbated by the international arms trade may be less reassured.
