Currently, Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell and GE each have different processes for formally onboarding capabilities into their supply chains.
Now, through this new project sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) and awarded via America Makes (the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute), ASTRO America will lead the team of jet engine builders to establish a common additive manufacturing (AM) qualification template. Rather than require small business vendors to go through a Pratt and Whitney -, Honeywell-, or GE- specific process, the companies are working with ASTRO to harmonize an approach for prospective vendors to become eligible 3D parts producers.
“Metal 3D printing is becoming an essential part of manufacturing jet engines. But it’s still very hard to get particular additive machines and materials approved for production. It’s costly and time-consuming for small aerospace suppliers. Ultimately, this can end up keeping good businesses and products out of the supply chain,” said Neal Orringer, president of ASTRO America. “Now, for the first time, top-tier OEMs are coming together to address this problem and support broader adoption of AM and ASTRO is thrilled to lead this project and work with GE, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, and America Makes – and really make a difference.”
“We are excited to work with GE, Honeywell, and Pratt & Whitney to develop a set of common qualification requirements for AM suppliers that can lessen the burden on suppliers and pave the way towards greater adoption of AM technologies,” said Bill Tredway, ASTRO’s Senior Manufacturing Fellow and Principal Investigator for the CAM-QT project. “Small and medium size AM suppliers should be able to take advantage of a Common Qualification Template. The ripple effect will benefit the entire defense manufacturing supply chain.”
ASTRO America is a not-for-profit, non-partisan research institute and think tank. It was established in 2018 to advance the public interest through manufacturing technology and policy.
