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Optomec to Lead 3-D Printing Study for U.S. Air Force

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Optomec will lead a two-year, $4 million project exploring additive manufacturing techniques for repair of aerospace metal components for the U.S. Air Force.

The project, called “Re-Born in the USA” was awarded by America Makes, the national additive manufacturing innovation institute, and involves 23 partner corporations and institutions. Costs will be covered by about $2.6 million in public funds and $1.4 million in private cost shares.

Optomec will bring to bear Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) 3-D metal printing techniques in search of a cost-effective approach to replace conventional repair processes such as manual welding. The LENS process can add metal onto an existing substrate of almost any 3-D shape, unlike other additive manufacturing methods that require a flat surface.

The potential benefits of using additive manufacturing to repair high-value metal components include lower costs, higher quality, longer life and faster return to service, the company said.

Project partners include GE Aviation, Lockheed Martin, the United Technologies Research Center and Rolls-Royce, as well as a group of technical experts serving as lead contributors, including EWI, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, TechSolve, the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Lab and Concurrent Technologies Corp.

For more information, visit www.americamakes.us or www.optomec.com.
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Published: June 2014
Glossary
additive manufacturing
Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is a manufacturing process that involves creating three-dimensional objects by adding material layer by layer. This is in contrast to traditional manufacturing methods, which often involve subtracting or forming materials to achieve the desired shape. In additive manufacturing, a digital model of the object is created using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and this digital model is then sliced into thin cross-sectional layers. The...
3-D printingadditive manufacturingaerospaceAmericasBusinessConnecticut Center for Advanced TechnologyEWIGE Aviationlight speedLockheed MartinNew MexicoOptomecRolls-RoyceUnited Technologies Research CenterUS Air ForceAmerica MakesRe-Born in the USALaser Engineered Net ShapingTechSolvePennsylvania State University Applied Research LabConcurrent Technologies Corp.Lasers

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