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Advanced Digital Fabrication & Repair, “A Rapid Manufacturing & Repair Program”

The wide variety of RP methods and materials in use today has resulted in the current state of Advanced Digital Fabrication (ADF) and Repair (R).  The concept of progressing directly from the solid model on the computer screen to a net-shape functional part produced by digital-based manufacturing technology that utilizes engineered materials is increasingly a reality.  Throughout the past several years the Department of Defense Maintenance facilities have availed themselves of RP technologies by participating in the DoD-NCMS Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA) program and are well postured to embark on ADF & R.  RP collaboration between DoD Maintenance Activities (depots) and industry through the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) successfully developed the relationships and linkages between Reverse Engineering, CAD solid modeling and RP.  Participating with other federal facilities and industry to leverage the costs and risks postures these depots for progression into Rapid Manufacturing & Repair utilizing ADF & R technologies.

This twenty-four month collaborative program will be achieved by teaming a dedicated user base of industry, Government, and DoD Maintenance Activities, working directly with technology developers/providers, to apply ADF & R to current and new DoD applications.  The nucleus of an advanced industry-government user group who function as catalysts for ADF & R advancements among commercializer-developers is well established within the NCMS.  This ADF & R knowledge base may be accessed by the DoD maintenance facilities to effect the conversion of conventional depot manufacturing and repair capabilities thereby resulting in one of the most comprehensive ADF &R utilization and tooling programs in the U.S.

The objectives of the Rapid Manufacturing & Repair Project are:

• Share and increase the joint investigation, evaluation, piloting, and implementation of ADF technologies among project participants and defense depots.

• Effect technology transfer and dissemination through close collaboration with industry partners and active participation of DoD Maintenance Facilities.

• Maintain collaboration with ADF industrial providers of equipment, materials, and software.

• Broaden technology insertion into additional DoD facilities.

• Conduct Rapid Manufacturing & Repair workshops, training sessions and project identification visits for interested DoD facilities.

Program Manager: Connie Philips, (734) 995-7051, conniep@ncms.org