Expanding AM for defense

Lockheed Martin Corporation and 3D printing company Sintavia plan to research the use of metal additive manufacturing (AM) as an alternative to castings and forgings for defense applications.

The companies plan to use laser powder bed fusion, electron beam-directed energy deposition and friction stir AM to expand the technology’s use.

“Sintavia and Lockheed Martin are committed to improving the capability, agility and competitiveness of the defense industrial supply base,” said Brian Neff, Sintavia founder and CEO. “Our partnership with Lockheed Martin seeks to identify and streamline manufacturing inefficiencies, specifically in the production of flight critical structures.”