DLA Research & Development's objective is to leverage the Department of War and the industrial base to ensure supply chain readiness and resilience - operationalizing additive and advanced manufacturing to improve the evolving Additive Manufacturing ecosystem. This will ensure policy alignment, business processes, and technical integration for certified AM parts within the DOW sustainment enterprise.
Innovation & Technology
Using emerging digital automation tools, DLA can leverage DOW aggregate manufacturing data, known as the 5Ms – manpower, machine, material, methods, and metrics -- with business analytics to deliver the most efficient solution to the point of need.
Strategic Thrusts
- Joint Operations - Manufacturing in active collaboration with OUSD JAMWG - JAMA. Vendor Risk and Obsolesce.
- DLA AM Ecosystem - The active support for connection, collaboration, and community defense manufacturing within the DLA enterprise.
- AM Feedstock Development from the Disposition supply chain. Reclamation of Materials turning into metal, polymer, and inorganic powders for AM processing.
Program Challenge
The challenge is parts obsolescence, legacy weapon systems, and long lead times that have a direct impact on warfighter readiness.
Solution
Integrate AM into the supply chain, broker essential AM data for the appropriate DOW organizations and utilize innovative technology to accelerate AM efforts.
Steps
Identify AM Candidates
Automate requirements identification driven by the military services' mission or by DLA's enterprise data analysis
Build Models and Tests
Normalize technical data packages for AM 3D models and digital manufacturing data to enable procurement and competition
Broker Technical Data
Establish a data sharing capability as prescribed by OSD and in joint fashion with the military services for a secure exchange of data to enable AM procurement
Integrate with Supply Chain
Implement contracting procedures that address digital manufacturing requirements and drives AM competition, standardization and quality compliance
Benefits
- Better equipped, supported and prepared using Additive Manufacturing
- Potential reduction of supply chain vulnerabilities addressing obsolesce
- Potential savings from using digital technologies enhancing coordination and manufacturability of parts
- Use of innovation to improve reverse engineering, repairs, and resilience.
Partners
- Office of the Secretary of War (OSW)
- U.S. Military Services
- DLA Weapons and Troop Support Commands
- Industry
- Academia
Accomplishments and Ongoing Efforts
- MILSVC, MILDEP, & OSW collaboration to develop JAMA IDIQ and JAMA Optimization Efforts.
- AM Cybersecurity.
- AM for Artificial Intelligence IN-SITU.
- DLA Weapons and Troop Support Labs Tooling for Testing Prototype.
- HYBRID AM vibration suppression technology development.
- Industry’s demonstration AM recovery/reuse metal powders 7 cycles reduction of waste & cost.
- Army C5ISR Universal Spare Parts(Wave-Guide) Reverse engineering capability enhancement.
- AM Feedstock Sustainability Study developing a Circular Economy.