DLA Research & Development's Metal Casting program includes work in developing new and improved metal casting capabilities in the areas of inspection, materials, processes, modeling, tooling, prototyping, and design. The implementation of these capabilities will support the foundry industry, where the technology will be tested and in turn, benefit the DLA and DOD.
Innovation & Technology
- Technologies and tools for the supply chain to reduce lead times & costs
- Improved manufacturing processes & materials for stronger parts
- Workforce development tools to provide educational resources for the current and future workforce
- Software tools and resources for advanced modeling and simulation to aid designers/engineers
Strategic Thrusts
- Sustain and improve metal casting manufacturing for parts bought within the DOD
- Exploit the performance and cost advantages of castings by providing design engineers with tools that more accurately predict the capabilities of cast parts
Program Challenge
To sustain and improved metal casting manufacturing for parts bought within the DoD in support of the Warfighter. Procurement of parts that contain castings can be difficult due to the complexity of manufacturing, source or tooling identification, obsolete, or antiquated specifications / standards, continued consolidation within the domestic market and competition from foreign sources.
Benefits
- Improved mission readiness and cost effectiveness
- Decreased cost and lead times
- Improved material availability and quality
- Improved manufacturing and sources of supply
- Lighter weight cast components
- Workforce development/education
Accomplishments & Ongoing Efforts
- Developed tools for casting engineers to design cast spare parts for weapons systems with reliable performance
- CAST-IT team provides valuable resources to DLA and suppliers; assistance requests, should costs, and work force development seminars
- Developed a software interface that allows metal casters to manage all aspects of providing cast components to DLA, ensuring responsive casting supply chains