America Makes’ Project Call for LPBF Cross-Platform Consistency

America Makes is making a new directed project call focusing on Methods for AM Cross-Platform Consistency (AM-CPC) with a $250,000 funding opportunity provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with one award anticipated.

Eligibility requirements include the project lead must be a member of America Makes. Registration at TRX Industry Day at UTEP is required by Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Submission deadline is Friday, April 7, 2023, by 5 p.m. ET. The anticipated award announcement is Tuesday, May 9, 2023 (one award anticipated).

The AM-CPC Project Call is a collaboration between NIST, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and America Makes to advance measurement science research for the reproducibility of additive manufacturing (AM) processes. Measurement science research for AM includes the development of test methods, measurement tools and data, physics-based models, and the technical basis for standards for characterizing and improving feedstock materials, process variables, system performance, mechanical properties, part quality, and system integration for the digital thread.

In addition to measurement science research, AM standards are a primary emphasis, as well as coordination of AM standards development through the ANSI Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collaborative.

AM-CPC proposals must outline neutral manufacturing plans to foster an understanding of consistency for multiple metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) machines. Successful outcomes from this project call will address testing methods and requirements, data collection practices and requirements, and demonstrate how manufacturing data may foster meaningful comparison of multiple metal LPBF machines. These findings and data aim to help accelerate AM process qualification and deliver a measurement method specification that may be used for analyzing various LPBF equipment.

“The continued engagement and participation in project calls by the America Makes membership remains critical to fostering a greater understanding of AM and its development into a prevalent and accepted manufacturing technology,” says Brandon Ribic, America Makes technology director. “Through our collaboration with NIST and AFRL, we look forward to demonstrating the potential to increase U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, as well as the development and deployment of reproducible and reliable AM technologies to meet defense and commercial needs.”

---

• Read about America Makes’ 2022 Project Awards for proposals that address evolving challenges of the domestic supply chain and offer progressive solutions.