2023-05-01 12:04:47
The global AM industry is gearing up for the annual American party. Rapid + TCT has developed into one of the most important 3D printing events on the other side of the Ocean. The large proportion of American speakers, from companies and universities, reflects the development that additive manufacturing is going through there.
This year, Rapid + TCT is mainly devoted to additive manufacturing as a production technology. Some 350 exhibitors and more than 170 speakers will shed light on this theme from many angles. Typical of the American event is a strong contribution from the aerospace and defense industry, industries that have a strong presence in the US. This is evident in the conference program from speakers from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Gumman and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Large format metal printing for defense
From Lockheed Martin, for example, there is a presentation on large format additive manufacturing for composite parts. The aviation group uses high-temperature materials to quickly and cost-effectively develop large tools that are hardened in an autoclave. The US Army is currently building the largest 3D metal printer in the world with a print volume of 9.14 by 6.1 by 3.7 meters. This is done in collaboration with Astro America, an American research institute for applied research. With this gigantic 3D metal printer, the Americans ultimately want to complete the business case for the AM production of large parts for army vehicles. The technology chosen for this is additive friction stir deposition, derived from friction welding. On Wednesday there was even a panel discussion devoted to large-scale additive manufacturing for defense applications.
Many US research and development projects
Sometimes we think that the development of additive manufacturing technology is a European get-together. On the other hand, a lot of research is currently taking place in the US, including in the field of metal printing. For example, Ohio State University presents the results of research into the use of carbon nanotubes to prevent microcracks in aluminum printed parts. They use a nanotube matrix that not only prevents cracking but also strengthens aluminum 6061 and Haynes 230 when printed. Senvol, together with several American defense institutions, including the Airforce Research Lab and The Office of Naval Research, has conducted research into the use of machine learning for the qualification of new 3D metal printers and materials. Zach Simkin, president of Senvol, presents the results. Transfer Learning, as they call the concept, has been tested on a few machines from EOS and the MetalFab 1 from Additive Industries, among others.
Aviation applications
Virginia Tech presents in Chicago the story regarding the drone that the university 3D prints and that flies away from the construction platform, because various components in the cell are automatically placed during the printing process. The cell, which combines digitally integrated production with robotization and automation, is intended for the autonomous production of Unmanned Areal Systems (UAS). Research for applications more focused on the defense industry is being done at the Devcom Army Research Laboratory. One of the studies here focuses on the ballistic impact properties of 3D printed structural parts. Can they withstand the enormous forces that are released when fired?
Net zero transition
This year Cassidy Silbernagel will also give a presentation. The two-time winner of the Design for AM Challenge student ( once more many years ago) at Additive Industries, currently works as a Senior AM Mechanical Engineer at Exergy Solutions. Together with Altair’s Jospeh Flynn, he is researching the application of generative design to lightweight components for sodium-ion battery technology. Specifically, it concerns a lightweight manifold and a more efficient heat exchanger for which Silbernagel AM deploys. Striking in this year’s program of Rapid + TCT in Chicago is the very high share of presentations by American research institutions, universities and companies. Only occasionally a European speaker is involved, such as those from EOS and Hexagon, some Fraunhofer institutes, SLM Solutions, Trumpf and DMG Mori.
About 350 exhibitors
With 350 exhibitors, Raid + TCT is regarding half the size of Formnext. Here are the largest players from the world market. Inkbit presents the Vista AM system. Several materials are now available for this AM system, developed for series production. Leading up to the event, Oqton announced its partnership with Castor. Castor’s software helps companies identify parts that lend themselves to additive manufacturing. Oqton integrates this software into the Manufacturing OS. This allows users of the Oqton software to more quickly assess their existing parts for suitability for additive manufacturing.
Rapid + TCT begins Tuesday, May 2 in Chicago and lasts through Friday.
Photo: One of the exhibitors is Spee3D, which is active in the defense industry with DED metal printing technology.
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