U.S. defense plans set goal for widespread adoption of 3D printing
ORLANDO, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fonon Corporation's innovative Bulk-To-Shape (BTS) technology, currently under development, is aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense's strategy to adopt and integrate additive manufacturing for enhanced rapid prototyping and production of end-use parts. Fonon's groundbreaking BTS technology is developed at the intersection of 3D metal printing and laser technologies, and involves the reprocessing of raw and waste materials.
The Department of Defense’s strategy for additive manufacturing (AM), released in early 2021, outlined five goals for expanding the adoption of 3D printing: developing guidance for integrating AM into the defense industrial base, aligning AM activities with external partners, promoting agile use of AM, expanding proficiency and knowledge, and protecting AM workflows.
With its developing BTS technology, Fonon aims to maximize the integration of additive manufacturing within the Department of Defense and the broader defense industrial supply chain. By reducing costs and lead times for hundreds of different parts and components, the BTS system can streamline 3D metal printing operations and minimize funding needs for multiple defense production programs across the various military services.
The use of 3D printing for research and prototyping, along with the ability to create complex shapes and easily customize them, will greatly improve the operational efficiency of defense systems. This technology will reduce the costs that impede global program planning and design, and accelerate technological advantage so warfighter needs can be met quickly and effectively.
Across multiple industries, including at least one military branch that was an early adopter, AM has proven to result in significant labor savings while reducing the need to procure, transport, store and assemble parts. It can also dramatically reduce downtime when replacement parts are needed. AM replaces physical inventory with a digital inventory and allows new components to be produced on-demand, in the field.
Continued investment in technologies like BTS provides military product manufacturers with the added benefit of more sustainable operations. Faster development, shorter lead times, less resource-intensive production, and more reusable materials contribute to reducing waste and minimizing carbon emissions. This approach fosters innovation in sustainable design, production, and distribution, helping manufacturers achieve their sustainability goals. A key driver of the circular economy, AM prioritizes the reuse of materials and products throughout the production line. This significantly reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing and leads the way to a more sustainable future.
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Once fully commercialized, Fonon's BTS system will enable defense manufacturing decision makers to optimize existing part designs to enhance performance and reliability. BTS exemplifies Fonon's continually expanding portfolio of building block technologies supported by patents, licenses, next generation hardware and proprietary metal processing intellectual property. Purpose-built for industrial and manufacturing purposes, this family of 3D metal printing systems represents the fastest path to production readiness.
To learn more about Fonon's revolutionary Bulk-To-Shape technology, visit https://fonon.com.
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