CHRISTIANSBURG, VA, August 21, 2024 — /EPR DEFENSE NEWS/ — In a significant move to enhance the operational readiness of its assets, the U.S. Air Force’s Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO) has awarded a substantial $975 million contract to MELD Manufacturing. This partnership highlights the growing importance of additive manufacturing technology in the aerospace and defense industries.
MELD Manufacturing, a leader in solid-state metal additive manufacturing, was chosen for its groundbreaking technology that enables the production of large, high-quality components from aerospace-grade materials. The company’s innovative process, which includes materials such as Al-7075, Al-6061, and Ti-64, has already proven its value in producing flight-critical parts that meet forging-level standards.
This new contract builds on previous investments from various branches of the U.S. military, including the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Energy (DoE), which have already equipped themselves with MELD’s L3, K3, and CD-14 machines. These machines have been central to several key projects, including the development of UAV airframes by the Air Force. MELD’s technology is unique in that it is the only large-scale, solid-state metal 3D printing process developed and manufactured entirely in the United States.
The selection of MELD by the RSO underscores the critical role of advanced manufacturing technologies in maintaining the U.S. Air Force’s operational capabilities and sustainability. This partnership is set to further strengthen the U.S. military’s ability to rapidly produce and deploy essential components, ensuring readiness in the field.
About the Rapid Sustainment Office:
The United States Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO) is committed to revolutionizing Air Force sustainment operations through the adoption of innovative technologies and processes. Established to enhance mission readiness and reduce costs, the RSO focuses on rapid and agile solutions that improve the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities of the Air Force. By partnering with industry leaders like MELD Manufacturing, the RSO advances the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. These initiatives ensure that the Air Force maintains its operational superiority by minimizing downtime and extending the lifespan of critical assets, such as aircraft and other military equipment. The RSO’s work is essential in ensuring the Air Force remains agile, responsive, and capable of meeting current and future challenges.
About MELD Manufacturing:
MELD Manufacturing Corporation offers groundbreaking 3D printing and hybrid machines designed for metal additive manufacturing using the proprietary MELD process. Their printers accommodate volumes as large as four meters wide, two and half meters deep, and one meter high, with custom integration services available for even larger print volumes. The MELD process, a revolutionary solid-state technology with over 20 patents, enables the additive manufacturing of metal parts without melting the material. Operating in an open atmosphere, MELD’s process allows for the production of large metal components at a scale and speed unmatched in the metal additive market. MELD Manufacturing is committed to disrupting traditional metal manufacturing and repair processes, both on Earth and in space, by leveraging the power of 3D printing. With its award-winning, patented technology, MELD aims to deliver reliable equipment capable of printing in any metal, at any size, and at unsurpassed speeds, all while maintaining forged properties. For more information about MELD Manufacturing
Corporation and the AFSD process, please visit www.meldmanufacturing.com.
SOURCE: EPR Network
