America Makes Names Winners of $6M Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing Project

The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, have named the winners of the $6-million Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing (PADAM) project funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

The NCDMM says that additive manufacturing (AM) is of significant interest to the U.S. manufacturing base, particularly within the aerospace and defense sectors. AM technology enables shorter lead times and reduces part weight — providing benefits to both new acquisitions and legacy systems. As this sector matures, it’s imperative to establish data-based qualifications and performance standards for widespread use.

The project is designed to further establish data-driven methods for applying the best attributes of novel AM metal materials.

“We are embarking on an incredibly exciting era across the AM sector. Exploring the possibilities of AM material applications is a step in the right direction with considerable implications for the future of aerospace and defense,” says Brandon Ribic, technology director at America Makes. “The Institute is incredibly fortunate to have the support of the Under Secretary of Defense and AFRL, and the engagement of the brightest minds in the country who will be collaborating to revolutionize this technology.”

The recipients of the PADAM project award are tasked with establishing repeatable and reproducible AM metal operations focused on operational, product and installation metal material qualifications. Below is the list of award winners:

Topic 1: High-Temperature Refractory Alloys

• Project 1: Maturing AM Technology for C-103 in Hypersonics and Space (MATCHAS)
  Team Lead: Castheon
  Project Team: 3Degrees, Amaero, AP&C Advanced Powders & Coatings Inc., ATI Specialty Alloys and Components, Benchmark Space Systems, Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, FormAlloy Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin, NASA John H. Glenn Research Center, NSL Analytical, Rolls-Royce Corp., Spirit Aerosystems
   

Topic 2: High-Temperature Nickel-Based Superalloys

• Project 1: Accelerated Maturation of Advanced High-Performance Ni-Based Superalloy ATI-1700 for Additively Manufactured Extreme Environment Components
  Team Lead: Boeing
  Project Team: ATI Specialty Metals, Quintus Technologies, RPM Innovations

Project teams will report on their progress at the America Makes Technical Review and Exchange, and other industry events during the execution phase of the program.

America Makes is the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute. As the national accelerator for AM, America Makes is the nation’s leading and collaborative partner in AM and 3DP technology research, discovery, creation and innovation. Structured as a public-private partnership with member organizations from industry, academia, government, non-government agencies and workforce and economic development resources, it is working together to innovate and accelerate AM to increase our nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness. 

NCDMM delivers innovative and collaborative manufacturing solutions that enhance our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness. The organization has extensive knowledge and depth in commercial and defense manufacturing areas to continually innovate, improve and advance manufacturing technologies and methodologies. Its team specializes in identifying the needs, players, technologies and processes to attain optimal solutions for its customers. It manages America Makes, AMARII, AMIIC and El Paso Makes, and is a subsidiary of the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group Inc. (MTDG).