Scalable, Open-Environment Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts

The U.S. Army has a critical need for cost-effective, low-quantity metal part production that is not constrained by long lead times. This production is becoming increasingly important as the need for legacy system replacement parts, high-customization applications, and location of production close to the demand for parts expands. In this Phase I SBIR project, Grid Logic will address limitations of other additive manufacturing and conventional manufacturing methods. It will enable cost-effective production for medium to large-format parts. The project will focus on low-quantity, high-variant manufacturing of metal parts with casting-equivalent properties. Work will include development of a new kind of casting mold technology enabled by Grid Logic’s multi-material additive manufacturing printer. The research will address the key elements of the new method that permit part production with little or no handling. At the conclusion of the Phase I work, Grid Logic will have shown the potential of the new technology for a family of parts relevant to Army needs.