ATI to establish Additive Manufacturing facility for US Navy’s nuclear propulsion programme
September 8, 2023
ATI Inc., located in Dallas, Texas, USA, has been granted a contract by Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc. (BPMI) to provide assistance in developing highly engineered part solutions for the US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. As part of this contract, ATI will establish a specialised Additive Manufacturing facility outside Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to support advanced manufacturing methods, including metal Additive Manufacturing.
ATI will expand its traditional capabilities by bringing its expertise as a global producer of high-performance materials and solutions to Additive Manufacturing for aerospace and defence. ATI’s Additive Manufacturing, heat treating, machining, and inspection capabilities are located within a secure facility designed for expansion as ATI continues to extend its Additive Manufacturing technologies to the assembly of finished components.
The new operation combines the expertise of ATI Forged Products, known for producing mission-critical finish-machined forgings, with the powder alloy leadership of ATI Specialty Materials. “With this facility, ATI will maximise its ability to deliver advanced Additively Manufactured materials and components by turning them into parts that further the defence industry,” shared Kim Fields, President and Chief Operating Officer of ATI. “Our customers increasingly require more robust and versatile materials and components, produced in an ecologically sustainable manner. This facility will deliver both.” It is projected to come online in mid-2024.
“Within one facility, we’re combining the latest additive and advanced manufacturing technologies and ATI’s novel powder alloys. We bring decades of experience delivering solutions that power and protect. We’re well-positioned to deliver the next generation of manufactured components,” continued Fields.
“Additive Manufacturing offers tremendous advantages to our Program, including accelerating ship construction, improving operational readiness, reducing costs, and an increase in warfighting capability,” Barb Staniscia, President and General Manager of BPMI added. “Metal Additive Manufacturing is driving necessary improvements in lead time, design, and performance for the US Navy.”
“As our customers blaze the trail of what’s possible, ATI is honoured to partner with BPMI in developing and producing the materials and components that make these extraordinary achievements possible,” Fields concluded. The investment is included in the company’s existing capital expenditure guidance.
