US additive manufacturing accelerator America Makes in affiliation with the Nationwide Middle for Protection Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) has launched two new open mission calls totaling $11.75 million. This information comes on the heels of NCDMM celebrating its 20-year anniversary.

Backed by the Workplace of the Beneath Secretary of Protection, Analysis and Engineering Manufacturing Know-how Workplace (OSD (R&E)), and the Air Power Analysis Laboratory (AFRL), this marks America Makes’ most substantial funding initiative since its institution in 2012, says the corporate. The corporate notes that every mission name contains two focus areas. Anticipating a single award for every matter space, the utmost funding request differs based mostly on the precise topic being addressed.

Enhancing supplies manufacturing

With funding of $6 million from the AFRL, the preliminary mission name, named Powder Alloy Improvement for Additive Manufacturing (PADAM). This mission name is devoted to expediting the progress of high-temperature metals for additive manufacturing, aiming to showcase discernible enhancements in application-specific efficiency benchmarks. The PADAM request for proposal (RFP) is segregated into two distinct thematic areas: Matter 1, specializing in Excessive-Temperature Refractory Alloys, is allotted $3.6 million, whereas Matter 2, centered round Excessive-Temperature Nickel-Primarily based Superalloys, has been granted a finances of $2.4 million.

The following mission name, generally known as the Proliferation of AM Materials Datasets, has introduced a funding alternative totaling $5.75 million, offered collectively by OSD(R&E) and the AFRL. The core goal of this mission initiative is to reinforce the amount and variety of rigorously documented, statistically grounded, and industrially related AM materials datasets. The related request for proposal (RFP) additionally seeks to facilitate the widespread dissemination of those insights, methodologies, and information throughout a broader spectrum of the AM provide chain, mandating partnerships with small companies. Notably, the Proliferation of AM Materials Datasets RFP is bifurcated into two distinct thematic areas: Matter 1 is devoted to the Aluminum Alloy Materials Dataset, with designated funding of $2.875 million, whereas Matter 2 is concentrated on Excessive-Temperature Nickel-Primarily based Superalloys, additionally securing a finances of $2.875 million.

Mission name timeline

• Launch: Tuesday, August 15
• Kickoff Webinar: August 15 at MMX (Registration Required)
• Questions Due from Proposers about Scope or Method: August 22
• Membership Eligibility Deadline: September 14
• Submission Deadline: September 29 by 5 p.m., ET
• Anticipated Awards Announcement: October 30

Proposers for the mission calls are suggested to reference the RFP for full particulars and pointers.

• Powder Alloy Improvement for Additive Manufacturing Mission Name, go to HERE.
• Proliferation of AM Materials Datasets Mission Name, go to HERE.

America Makes’ dedication in the direction of mission calls

Beginning off this 12 months with the DoD Level of Want Manufacturing problem mission name, America Makes joined forces with OSD ManTech and Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. The U.S. Division of Protection (DoD) provided as much as $1.5 million for tasks aligned with the MII Level of Want (PoN) Problem. Managed by America Makes, the initiative centered on dual-use functions for DoD and home manufacturing wants. Seven challenges, together with “Constructing the Ahead Working Base,” “Unmanned Floor Car,” and “Warfighter Medical,” sought revolutionary manufacturing options for powerful environments. America Makes members may submit proposals, partnering with the group. The method included idea papers, quad charts, and invitation-only shows. Idea paper submissions have been due by February 6, 2023, and shows came about on March 8 and 9, with awards anticipated round March 30. Initiatives have been slated to begin on Could 15 and conclude earlier than December 15, 2023.

Notably, in July alone, America Makes launched two separate mission calls. The primary mission name valued at $11.7 million centered on enhancing manufacturing productiveness. This initiative was named “Enhancements in Manufacturing Productiveness by way of Additive Capabilities and Techno-Financial Evaluation (IMPACT).” The mission aimed to showcase the advantages of AM applied sciences for casting and forging performed a techno-economic evaluation for metallic powder AM, and addressed sourcing gaps with AM elements. The mission name additionally emphasised novel options for robotic AM course of planning, with a concentrate on enhancing steady fiber-reinforced composite constructions. 

Moreover, the following mission name totaling $6.4 million centered on advancing sustainable additive manufacturing. The preliminary doc, known as the Open Mission Name 2023, encompassed Subjects 1-6 providing a complete of $1.2 million in federal funding. Following that, Subjects 7-8, which focused on the Strategies and Approaches for Sustainable Additive Manufacturing (AM) Operations, have been allotted $5.2 million in funding.

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