YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining announced a new open project call worth a total of $4.5 million.

The project, Improvements in Manufacturing Productivity via Additive Capabilities and Techno-Economic Analysis 3.0 (IMPACT 3.0), is funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Manufacturing Technology Office. 

The project consists of two topic areas and aims to demonstrate lead time, productivity and yield improvements for casting and forging manufacturing operations using additive manufacturing technologies. Three awards are anticipated.

The objective of the project is to further advance the integration of additive manufacturing technologies into the casting and forging domain, as well as to reduce lead time and increase cost savings.

“Additive and advanced manufacturing technologies are crucial for the castings and forgings industry and the Defense Industrial Base to overcome current national supply chain challenges,” John Martin, additive manufacturing research director at America Makes, said in a news release. “In partnership with our members, we invest in strategic initiatives to ensure warfighter readiness for essential military platforms, ultimately strengthening the Department of Defense’s supply chain and enhancing national defense resilience.”

The proposed projects should apply to Technology Readiness Level 4-7 and Manufacturing Readiness Level 4-7 at the onset of the proposed project.

The request for proposal is separated into two topic areas:

  • Topic 1: Additive Manufacturing in the Digital Foundry: Incorporate sensors and automation to boost production speed and capacity, facilitating agile manufacturing and allowing for rapid adjustments in serial production and efficient handling of low-volume, intermittent orders.
  • Topic 2: Wire Arc DED Process Sensing and Control: Verify and establish tools to monitor and control the deposition process to enhance confidence in wire arc DED for Department of Defense cognizant technical authorities.

The submission deadline is 5 p.m. June 2. The anticipated awards announcement is June 27.

More information and guidelines are available HERE.