America Makes Offers TRX in Conjunction with Rapid + TCT Conference

By Makenna Oswalt
America Makes Communications Intern

LOS ANGELES – America Makes hosted a special Technical Review & Exchange (TRX) event June 26 during the annual RAPID + TCT Conference in Los Angeles. 

Under the backdrop of North America’s largest industrial and additive manufacturing event, the institute welcomed over 75 engineers, decision-makers, government, members and partners from every corner of the U.S. AM industry. 

The abbreviated TRX event included an Industry Day announcement for a $2.1 million project call, as well as presentations on four projects – three closeouts and one kickoff. 

Speakers included Brent Roeder of R3 Digital Sciences Inc., Christopher D. Immer of GE Aerospace Research, Ryan Meeker of the University of Dayton Research Institute and Kevin Orbine of Deloitte Consulting. Each provided progress updates of their ongoing research and development efforts, with exclusive insight into the latest advancements underway to advance additive technology. 

TRX attendees were also provided extended access to RAPID’s groundbreaking product announcements, hands-on exhibits and real-world AM solutions. 

“To further advance the institutes’ efforts to collaborate, catalyze and convene the AM ecosystem, we must remain connected with the AM community and its stakeholders,” said John Wilczynski, executive director of America Makes. “RAPID+TCT is a premiere event within the industry, and we welcomed the opportunity to team up to offer our first-ever integrated TRX event.” 

Projects Presented at TRX 

Frameworks for Utilizing Process Monitoring in Conjunction with Ex-situ Inspection for Qualification (5001.004.001.001): Currently, there is a need for LPBF in-situ process monitoring frameworks that can minimize post-build part inspection requirements while still preventing escapes. However, as it remains, developing such a framework is cost-prohibitive with an overflow of data. 

During his presentation on the project, Roeder stated that his team is developing a specification prioritizing the qualities of in-situ process monitoring frameworks to meet this need and at cost. Harnessing artificial intelligence, they will analyze datasets to establish the best in-situ monitoring framework to accurately predict laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition AM process outcomes. 

This framework aims to balance the cost and complexity while also improving the predictive performance of part quality. The result will be a prioritized in-situ monitoring specification that has the potential to reduce the Department of Defense and industrial costs and delays via on-demand part production and repair.  

Fast-Scanning-Mirror Wobble-Enabled Build Schema (Fast-WEBS) (5001.004.001.002): The demand for quicker production is essential, and the Fast-Scanning-Mirror Wobble-Enabled Build Schema is a project determined to increase the bulk build rate of LPBFAM by 3 times. However, increasing the build rates presents a significant challenge resulting in higher part production throughput, ultimately becoming one of the main barriers to entry into the additive industry. 

While speed is undeniably important, ensuring quality is critical to manufacturers. As detailed in Immer’s presentation, GE will attempt to build at 3 times speed while attempting to maintain high material quality in the Ti-6AI-4V alloy, using a high-frequency wobble-based thermal manipulation framework integrated with the fast-scanning mirror. This approach manipulates thermal energy distribution to withstand high power and scan speeds. 

With this new system, there will be a drastic enhancement in production efficiency, along with significant improvements in cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency within the additive manufacturing industry.

Sensor-Based Approaches to LPBF Machine Pre-Qualification (102575.000.5567.003): Machine pre-qualification is important among machine types and part manufacturers. However, due to diverse designs of machines, qualification practices vary widely. This project, led by The University of Dayton Research Institute in collaboration with ZEISS Northrop Grumman and The Ohio State University, aims to address this challenge by creating an in-situ sensor demonstrating consistent quantification of gas flow effects on end part quality. 

Gas flow designs exhibit extreme inconsistency, which makes them significantly important in the pre-qualification process. This project intends to acquire information from gas flow characterization sensor-based data sets to pre-qualify machines. Ultimately, this allows for manufacturers to produce quality parts throughout the additive manufacturing supply chain.

Methods and Approaches for Sustainable Operations – Should vs. Could (5001.004.001.003): In the United States, the casting and forging supply chain is struggling to meet high demand. America Makes and Deloitte partnered to address this issue by exploring how stopgap AM parts can aid the C&F supply chain problem. In this, the Should vs. Could project was established, which encompasses a structured training program designed for both in-person and virtual delivery. 

The techno-economic analysis component of this project intends to educate first-order decision-making on effectively applying AM for stopgap measures amid the C&F supply chain challenges. This program is designed to enhance the decision-making process regarding the implementation of AM solutions. 

Driving Efforts

The institute’s embrace of industry-led needs continues to drive its efforts to be a bridge of knowledge and collaboration undergirding the work of the world’s brightest minds for solutions. 

These advancements will drive innovation, improve product quality and expand the industry’s applications across various sectors. 

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.