On-Demand 3D Manufacturing of Industrial Rubber Gloves and DoD Equipment for the DLA

In recent work funded by the Defense Logistics Agency, NanoSonic has established both scientific and technical merit for the production of Type I and Type III Industrial Rubber Gloves for the Nuclear Enterprise Systems Office (NESO) using traditional manufacturing techniques as outlined in MIL-DTL-32066A.  Important to the proposed effort, NanoSonic has also demonstrated the feasibility of using 3D printed mandrels to support low-cost high-quality defect free production of Industrial Rubber Gloves and related protective equipment to support multiple DoD platforms.  The new 3D printed mandrels weigh 1/25th that of porcelain.  Moreover, this process enables the production of Rubber Gloves with varied chemistry (Type I or Type III) and is readily adaptable to parts with varied shapes (gloves, boots, etc.).  This On-Demand methodology also enables parts production to full orders in quantities as needed (monthly rather than annual required volume purchase).  In this DLA Phase II program, NanoSonic shall produce Industrial Rubber Gloves and related parts for multiple platforms across the DoD using a new On-Demand 3D print process combined with traditional seamless dipping techniques.  NanoSonic’s 3D printed reusable mandrels are durable, weigh ~25x less than porcelain molds, and the non-porous surface mitigates defects of molded parts.