3D Systems announced a new cooperative R&D agreement with Naval Sea Systems Command's (NAVSEA) Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD). In accordance with this agreement, 3DS and the US Navy will jointly develop and evaluate 3D printing technology and materials for military uses, including helping the Navy fulfill a number of strategic initiatives. The US Navy's partnership with 3DS underscores the disruptive potential of 3D printing to redefine the supply chain for naval ship components, and reinforces 3DS' ability to continue to modernize the U.S. defense industrial base.
"The US Navy is at the forefront of a concerted military effort to integrate 3D printing into their operations," said Neal Orringer, 3DS' Vice President of Alliances and Partnerships. "Through their Print-the-Fleet initiative, the Navy is educating sailors on the latest in digital manufacturing and accelerating adoption of 3D printing. We're proud that our technology—our direct metal printing and our advanced polymer materials—are going to play an integral part in the Navy of the future."
"Additive manufacturing has the potential to be a truly disruptive technology and shows great promise for supporting Naval Sea Systems components," said Jennifer Wolk, NSWCCD's Additive Manufacturing Lead. "However, a great deal more needs to be done to ensure this technology can be qualified for repeatable, safe, and effective use. This cooperative research and development agreement is an important step toward broader utilization of this technology."
Development and qualification of new materials and printer technology under this agreement will help ensure appropriate adoption of this technology within the Navy supply chain.
