N. Hardwick
MELD Manufacturing,
United States
Keywords: metal printer, vehicles
Summary:
After a competitive process, the US Army selected the MELD technology for the Jointless Hull program, a program that will be responsible for building a metal 3D printer capable of printing whole vehicles. The printer will have a build capacity of 20 feet by 30 feet by 12 feet and will be housed at Rock Island Arsenal. Considerations for process selection included possibilities for use of multiple metal materials, resulting product performance, and capabilities for future design flexibility. Process capabilities and outcomes will be reviewed for materials including titanium, aluminum and magnesium.