Materion Corp Collaborates with US Air Force Research Lab to Revolutionize 3D Printing Technology

Hey folks! Guess what? Materion Corporation has just landed a massive $5 million contract from the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to take additive manufacturing to a whole new level. They’re going to be working on developing deposition 3D printing technology for beryllium alloys. Now, you might be wondering, what’s so special about beryllium alloys? Well, the AFRL believes that by expanding the additive manufacturing capabilities for these materials, we can achieve some serious advantages in the production and performance of optics structures, guidance systems, and thermal management applications. How cool is that?

With this new technology, Materion Corporation is confident that they can create lighter weight and more complex components with greater precision and efficiency. And when you combine that with the mechanical properties of beryllium, it’s going to take the designs and capabilities of optical systems, space-based connectivity, and mobility technologies to a whole new level. Talk about pushing the boundaries of innovation!

So, what’s the plan? Materion Corporation will be working on developing processes for multiple deposition technologies in a safe and expandable environment. They’ll also be focusing on related support technologies like pre- and post-processing equipment. And don’t worry, the AFRL has got their back. They’ll be supporting the project by covering the labor, material, and operating costs. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Clive Grannum, the President of Materion Performance Materials, is super excited about this opportunity. He said, “Our additive manufacturing laboratory has already shown that beryllium additive manufacturing is totally doable. And now, with the support of the US-AFRL, we’re taking our research and development efforts to a whole new level. We’ve got the expertise to make these specialized manufacturing techniques a reality for our customers who need more complex components for their next-gen applications. It’s going to be epic!”

Materion Corporation is not the only company making waves in additive manufacturing. The US Air Force and its various entities have been working with several other companies in recent years. Just a few months ago, AddUp joined a $1.5 million research program to advance IN-718 3D printing for the US Air Force. And a couple of years back, the AFRL deployed three Inkbit Vista multi-material 3D printing platforms through a $1.7 million contract. It’s clear that the US Air Force is serious about pushing the boundaries of technology!

So, there you have it, folks! Materion Corporation is teaming up with the US Air Force Research Laboratory to revolutionize 3D printing technology. With their expertise and support, we can expect some incredible advancements in the world of additive manufacturing. Get ready for lighter, more complex components and mind-blowing optical systems. The future is looking bright!