In 2022, the U.S. Navy installed the first-ever, permanent metal additive manufacturing (AM) machine aboard its vessel. This technology is projected to be groundbreaking, reducing resupply logistics and diminishing obsolescence. It will provide sailors with industrial-level manufacturing capabilities for virtually any part to be replaced without requiring a resupply operation. This effort aims to maximize operational availability of the Naval vessels and reduce the demand on traditional Naval supply chains. However, getting a metal AM machine that can create almost any replacement part onto an active-duty warship has had its challenges and obstacles.
This webinar presentation will address the following topics:
- What is the history of metal AM for Navy applications?
- What were the steps required to get a metal AM machine on a Navy vessel?
- What are the challenges and testing requirements for qualifying parts produced by metal AM?
- What are the two different types of metal AM currently on Navy ships, and what are their capabilities?