6K Additive awarded $23.4M US DoD grant to expand critical metal upcycling

MaterialsNews
December 11, 2023

December 11, 2023

6K Additive, a division of 6K Inc based in Andover, Massachusetts, USA, has announced the initiation of a $50 million investment programme which will expand its current capacity and metal processing capabilities. The programme is supported by a $23.4 million grant awarded through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Industrial Base Policy, through its Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritisation (MCEIP) directorate.

The agreement, entered into under Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III authorities, will help 6K Additive increase capabilities to upcycle high-grade metals – including titanium, nickel and refractory metals – used in alloys for aircraft structural components, turbine engine blades, rocket engines, radar systems, and many other critical defence applications. In addition to doubling capacity, the programme will enable expansion in scrap sort, segregate, and processing, as well as the production of powder and remelt ingot to increase capability of domestics mill product capacity. The investment will support 6K Additive’s core efforts in facility renovation, talent acquisition, equipment installation, and engineering.

THE WORLD OF METAL AM TO YOUR INBOX
Subscribe to our twice-weekly newsletter
Register now

6K’s proprietary upscaling processes leverage abundant domestic sources of metal feedstock to include end-of-life components, machine-shop swarf, and scrap from manufacturing processes such as casting and forging. With MCEIP’s help, 6K expects to expand its capabilities and achieve full rate production at their Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, facility by the end of 2026.

“Our country’s national security relies heavily on materials used across numerous applications and controlling the supply chain from within the borders of the United States is paramount,” stated Frank Roberts, president of 6K Additive commented. “We are excited to announce this important expansion program which enhances our capabilities to support our defence and commercial customer base.

“The $23.4 million award from the DoD is a testament to the capabilities of 6K Additive for upcycling the most critical metals and alloys,” Roberts continued. “No other organisation has the history, experience, infrastructure or potential 6K Additive has in upcycling materials like titanium, nickel superalloys and refractory metals. We’re honoured to be selected for the award and recognise the trust the DoD has placed in our organisation.”

www.6kinc.com

MaterialsNews
December 11, 2023

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • Aluminium Additive Manufacturing: How a new generation of alloys will fuel industry growth
  • Shaping a national Additive Manufacturing ecosystem: The strategic growth of metal AM in Türkiye
  • How metal Additive Manufacturing is transforming modern hydraulic systems
  • High-performance product development in the era of computational design: a case study with nTop and NASA
  • The Additive Manufacturing of record-breaking pure copper heatsinks for high-performance computing applications
  • The Additive Manufacturing of tool steels: how non-linear modelling enables precise hardness control

Join 40,000+ other AM professionals – follow us online

Don’t miss a thing – register for our newsletter

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Register now

Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data
Find suppliers

About Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Metal AM magazine, published quarterly in digital and print formats, is read by a rapidly expanding international audience.

Our audience includes component manufacturers, end-users, materials and equipment suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

In addition to providing extensive industry news coverage, Metal AM magazine is known for exclusive, in-depth articles and technical reports.

Our focus is the entire metal AM process from design to application.

Each issue is available as an easy-to-navigate digital edition and a high-quality print publication.

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap