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Open Additive to demonstrate its metal 3D printer for USAF aircraft needs
October 12, 2020 | Categories: Member News
Open Additive, LLC, has been awarded a prototype demonstration contract to evaluate its PANDA™ Metal 3D Printing System with AMSENSE® to address future modernization and sustainment needs for U.S. Air Force mobility and training aircraft.
The project titled Versatile, Self-Contained Metal Additive Manufacturing for Global Operations will address the potential of Open Additive’s commercial product line to (1) build relevant parts in relevant materials, (2) collect in situ sensor data as an element of each part’s “digital thread”, and (3) be integrated in a complete self-contained environment to provide manufacturing capabilities at points of need. The effort is funded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Command’s Mobility Directorate (AFLCMC/WL) through a competitive Commercial Solutions Opening solicitation and following Pitch Day. The contract period spans from August 2020 through November 2021.
This effort is the third project awarded this year to advance and demonstrate Open Additive’s open-architecture metal 3D printing solutions to address U.S. Air Force needs. Other projects include a $3M-effort sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop an open quad-laser, large-format system and a $750k-effort sponsored by the Air Force Test Center to print simulated runway replicas for the AF Landing Gear Test Facility.
Courtesy of Open Additive