The US$3.2 million project call is funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
The chosen Delta Qual project teams will tackle the qualification/re-qualification challenges of additive manufacturing (AM) by creating a qualified AM process that offers rapid and affordable flexibility in crucial processes, post-processing, and material feedstock variables, while efficiently validating a qualified AM material through statistical analysis.
“We are excited to announce and celebrate the winners of this project call,” said Dr Brandon Ribic, America Makes Technology Director. “These cutting-edge industry leaders, researchers, and developers are revolutionizing additive technology and propelling it forward as the future of manufacturing. We have full confidence in their ability to devise optimal solutions to overcome the qualification/re-qualification challenges that slow the expansion of this innovative industry.”
The award winners and related topics/projects are:
Topic 1: Major Delta Qualification Demonstration
Project 1: Applying Machining Learning to Enable Effective Additive Manufacturing Process Qualification/Re-Qualification
Team Lead: Senvol
Project Team: 3Degrees, AoZora Additive, ATI, Battelle, Boeing, Element Materials Technologies, National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR), and Pilgrim Consulting
Project 2: Model Enabled Delta-Qual (MEDEL-QUAL)
Team Lead: RTX (Raytheon)
Project Team: Collins Aerospace Applied Research & Technology, Colorado School of Mines, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, and Sentient Science Corporation
Project 3: Rapid Qualification Pathway for Metal Additive Manufacturing using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) for Critical Applications
Team Lead: EOS
Project Team: 3Degrees, AddiGuru, NSL Analytical, and The Ohio State University
Topic 2: Minor Delta Qualification
Project 1: Fatigue Allowable Curves and Effects of Texture and Thickness (FACETT)
Team Lead: RTX Technology Research Center
Project Team: Collins Aerospace Applied Research & Technology, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Sentient Science Corporation
Project 2: Demonstration of Novel Methods for Effective AM Process Qualification/Re-qualification
Team Lead: Honeywell Aerospace
Project Team: Macy Consulting, Inc.
Topic 3: Red Team
Project 1: Thorough Evaluation of AM with Rigorous Expertise and Data
Team Lead: The Barnes Global Advisors
Project Team: Blue Forge Alliance, Carnegie Mellon University, NASA, and SAE International
The projects are expected to be completed in September 2025 with data available to America Makes members. Additionally, project teams will report out at TRX and other industry events during the execution phase of the program.
