Elementum 3D progresses US Army and Navy STTR projects
September 5, 2022
Elementum 3D, Erie, Colorado, USA, has begun work on a US Army Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) project that partners with Georgia Tech and Addiguru, LLC, Louisiana, USA, to improve the reliability of large-format Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing. This technology offers extremely high deposition rates with the ability to produce large-scale components and, with more precise monitoring and control of the deposition process, denser and more dimensionally accurate parts can be achieved, thereby reducing post-processing time and costs.
With improved process feedback and control, this project intends to demonstrate Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing as a highly capable method for producing parts near the battlefield or at the point of use, reducing the logistical burden and improving readiness compared to having central storage and transportation of replacement components.
In a second project, Elementum 3D is working on a Navy STTR contract in collaboration with Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence. This project is focused on development of a robust and reliable Additive Manufacturing and post-processing workflow for additively manufacturing high-power, vacuum electron devices (VEDs) and radiofrequency (RF) components from a heat dissipating and corrosion resistant copper-nickel alloy.
VEDs and RF waveguides and other components are often complex to produce, requiring manual bending and joining processes. Successful Additive Manufacturing of these components is expected to enable faster, more economical production and innovations in printing complex assemblies and networks of components with improved performance.
