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Defence contracts

ExOne Company Awarded Contract to Develop Binder Jet Manufacturing for Novel Steel Alloy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The ExOne Company, a leading global provider of industrial sand and metal 3D printers, has been awarded a contract by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) to develop and qualify binder jet manufacturing processes for AF-9628, a high-strength steel alloy developed by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This contract aims to explore the possibility of manufacturing parts with AF-9628 using binder jet 3D printing, a technology that has the potential to reduce production costs while maintaining strength and functionality. AF-9628 is currently manufactured using traditional and additive methods, including laser powder bed fusion. The Air Force reports that parts additively manufactured with AF-9628 are about 20 percent stronger than conventional AM alloys.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ExOne Company has been awarded a contract to develop binder jet manufacturing processes for AF-9628, a high-strength steel alloy developed by the US Air Force Research Laboratory.
  • The contract is awarded by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and aims to explore the possibility of manufacturing parts with AF-9628 using binder jet 3D printing.
  • AF-9628 is currently manufactured using traditional and additive methods, including laser powder bed fusion, resulting in parts that are about 20 percent stronger than conventional AM alloys.
  • Binder jet 3D printing, which transforms powdered materials into dense and functional precision parts at high speeds, offers a desirable and sustainable production method due to its high speed, low cost, and material flexibility.
  • ExOne has qualified more than 20 materials for its patented binder jetting process, indicating its expertise in this technology.
  • The development of binder jet manufacturing processes for AF-9628 could potentially reduce production costs while maintaining the strength and functionality of parts manufactured with this alloy.
  • The contract highlights the potential applications of binder jet 3D printing in the defense industry, particularly in the development of high-strength materials.

Statistics:

  • 20 percent: The increase in strength of parts additively manufactured with AF-9628 compared to conventional AM alloys, according to the Air Force.
  • 20+: The number of materials that ExOne has qualified for its patented binder jetting process.
  • AF-9628: The name of the high-strength steel alloy developed by the US Air Force Research Laboratory.

Sources:

  • ExOne Company, Inc.
  • National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM)
  • United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)

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