US Naval Research Laboratory installs Additive Manufacturing machine to enhance R&D
March 8, 2017
The NRL has installed a Concept Laser M2 cusing machine at its facility in Washington, DC
The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has installed its first laser powder-bed metal Additive Manufacturing machine at its base in southwest Washington, DC. NRL will be using Concept Laser’s M2 cusing machine to manufacture stainless steel components. Along with the machine, they will be using QM Meltpool 3D to monitor the quality of their metal applications, inspecting the part under construction.
The NRL is the US Navy’s full-spectrum corporate laboratory, conducting a broad-based programme of scientific research and development for maritime application related to oceanic, atmospheric and space sciences. “We require a wide range of Additive Manufacturing (AM) capabilities, ranging from quality monitoring to process parameter development, and need an architecture conducive to that research and development effort,” stated Dr Charles Rohde, NRL Acoustics Division.
“It is very exciting that the US Naval Research Laboratory is bolstering their focus on metal Additive Manufacturing. There are so many advantages of 3D metal printing that our defence strategy could benefit from, including reduced lead time, less material waste and printing complex geometries with no required assembly. NRL has a history of over 90 years of innovation in naval power and we look forward to hear how they will use 3D metal printing to break boundaries,” stated John Murray, President and CEO of Concept Laser Inc.
