CHRISTIANSBURG, VA – September 11, 2024 — MELD Manufacturing Corporation is pleased to announce the successful delivery of a MELD K2 machine to the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University. Along with the delivery, WSU-NIAR and MELD have entered into a research collaboration agreement to advance aerospace manufacturing technologies.
The MELD K2, MELD’s largest enclosed additive-only manufacturing system, boasts an impressive 81.6 ft³ build space. Designed for the production and repair of large parts, it offers extreme material flexibility and low power consumption. Operating in an open atmosphere, the machine eliminates the need for special vacuums or chambers and features a continuous feed system for standard-size feedstock bars, enabling seamless material deposition without manual intervention.
The newly delivered equipment will be used to test, validate, and qualify various specification standards, addressing the aerospace industry’s growing demand for large aluminum and titanium structures. The ongoing research collaboration between NIAR and MELD Manufacturing will capitalize on MELD’s unique solid-state technology, enabling the production of materials with wrought properties that are unattainable through traditional melt-based additive manufacturing methods.
“Our partnership with MELD Manufacturing Corporation will revolutionize additive manufacturing for NIAR, the DoD, and our industry partners,” said Jeswin Joseph, associate director and program manager for Emerging Technologies at WSU-NIAR. “MELD’s solid-state process enhances material properties, reduces waste, and accelerates production, setting new standards for performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications.”
MELD Manufacturing Corporation is renowned for its revolutionary solid-state technology, which allows for the 3D printing and hybrid manufacturing of metal components without melting. The scalable MELD process supports the creation of large metal parts at an unprecedented scale within the metal additive market.
Funding for the purchase was made possible with the assistance of the EDA Build Back Better Regional Competition award, aimed at assisting small and medium sized businesses in the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. This partnership marks a significant milestone in aerospace manufacturing, promising to drive innovation and enhance the capabilities of producing critical flight components.
About NIAR
The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University provides research, design, testing, certification and training to the aviation, defense, manufacturing, and related industries. NIAR has a $350 million annual budget, a staff of 1,200, and nearly two million square feet of laboratory and office space in six locations across the city of Wichita, the Air Capital of the World. Core competencies include Industrial Modernization of Materials and Manufacturing; Digital Transformation and Sustainment Modernization; Test and Evaluation; Engineering, Certification, Modification, and Prototyping; System Automation and Digital Manufacturing. NIAR is a department within the division of Industry and Defense Programs at Wichita State. wichita.edu/niar.
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.