From the US Army’s annual meeting in Washington, DC, MELD Manufacturing Corporation announces that MELD technology will be used to leverage 3D printing at an unprecedented size.
Selected for the US Army’s Jointless Hull Program, the MELD technology will be used on two machines, the larger being able to print components that are 20 feet by 30 feet by 12 feet in size. The printer will be installed at Rock Island Arsenal – Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center in 2022. A second machine will be delivered as well with a print volume of 5 feet by 4 feet by 3 feet. The effort includes a team being coordinated by LIFT and led by ASTRO America with subcontractors Ingersoll Machine Tool, Siemens, and MELD Manufacturing.
“The need for large-scale metal components with a short lead time is clear. This metal printer, capable of printing vehicle hulls, is a fantastic demonstration of what is possible with MELD,” said MELD Director of Technology Dr. Chase Cox.
The program, along with other US Army programs, will be reviewed during the Army MELD User’s Group meeting, held at AUSA October 12 at 1000 in Room 209B. The meeting is open to all AUSA attendees.
MELD Manufacturing Corporation is the inventor of the award-winning, patented MELD® process for 3D printing metal. MELD machines are unlike any other 3D machines and in their own category of process type because they do not melt the metal being printed. The thermo-mechanical MELD process creates enough flow in the material to combine it and create parts that otherwise appear to be forged. It’s versatile because it uses any metal. It’s simple and offers predictable results. It’s fast and able to print the largest parts. It’s unique in the ability to repair existing parts. More information on the technology can be found at www.meldmanufacturing.com.
