Nikon Advanced Manufacturing subsidiary, Nikon AM Synergy, has secured a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to qualify additive manufacturing processes in aeronautical systems. The agreement, managed by the Defense Innovation Unit, aims to resolve bottlenecks in the production of critical metal components. The work will be carried out at the company's technology center in Long Beach.
Integration of PBF Systems and Qualification for Critical Components 🛠️
The project will be executed at Nikon AM's Technology Center in Long Beach, California. There, powder bed fusion (PBF) systems will be integrated with material qualification and inspection processes. The goal is to establish a validated workflow to produce parts that meet the strict survival and reliability standards required in defense applications, accelerating the transition from prototype to deployment.
When traditional casting says I can't, additive says I print and done 😎
It seems that traditional casting methods, with their long lead times, have put the defense supply chain in a bind. While they can't keep up, additive manufacturing presents itself as the bench substitute that the coach (the DoD) is eager to put in the game. That said, it first has to pass a thorough physical exam in Long Beach to prove it's fit for the battlefield. In the end, it all comes down to printing the solution.