Auburn University is enhancing its reputation in rapid additive manufacturing (AM) research and development through two significant partnerships aimed at addressing pressing needs in the aerospace and maritime defense sectors. The collaborations with Amaero, a manufacturer of specialty alloy powders, and Austal USA, a shipbuilding company, reflect the university’s commitment to innovation and efficiency in AM technology.
Amaero has engaged Auburn’s National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME) to analyze the performance of its Nb-C103 and Ti-6Al-4V powder products. Nb-C103, though valuable in high-temperature aerospace applications, is expensive (up to $4,000 per kilogram) and challenging to research. NCAME’s research engineer, Scot Carpenter, highlighted their high-throughput, iterative approach, which allows for rapid assessment of process-structure-property relationships using minimal material from Amaero. This approach significantly reduces the time it takes to produce test results, enabling faster decision-making in product development.
Eric Bono, Amaero’s Chief Technology Officer, noted that NCAME acts as an extension of their team, executing programs that yield essential data more quickly than many commercial entities can manage. This expedited process is vital, as the AM industry increasingly relies on swift iterations to adapt to market demands.
NCAME’s expertise further supports the maritime sector through its partnership with Austal USA, especially in light of challenges related to traditional manufacturing capabilities in the United States. Lead times of up to two years for forged or cast parts pose significant obstacles for military shipbuilding. Additive manufacturing not only alleviates these constraints but also offers design flexibility and potentially superior mechanical properties compared to conventional methods.
Connor Headley, a research engineer at Austal USA, emphasized the project’s aim to establish correlations between in-situ sensing data and resultant microstructures, which impact material performance. Carpenter remarked on the importance of building statistical datasets from material allowables—stress and strain limits—associated with materials of interest. These parameters are crucial for ensuring predictability in design and performance, which is a key consideration for wider AM adoption in structural applications.
Nima Shamsaei, Director of NCAME, underscored that the center’s applied research capabilities uniquely position them to provide statistically validated material allowables, a milestone often elusive in academic settings. He noted the value added by NCAME in establishing specification minimums for AM components, while also exploring advancements in conventional validation practices through methods like in-process monitoring.
Auburn University’s collaborative efforts are indicative of its pivotal role in transforming additive manufacturing and its applications in both the aerospace and maritime sectors. By bridging gaps between research and practical application, NCAME is positioned to drive innovation at an unprecedented pace, addressing urgent needs in defense manufacturing while advancing the fundamental understanding of material properties.
For further inquiries, media contact Jeremy D. Henderson is available at jdh0123@auburn.edu or 334-844-3591.
Source link
