Advanced manufacturing is the Air Force’s ability to implement agile technologies, processes, and tools to better forecast materials for upgrading fleets, reducing waste, and extending aircraft lifespans – all while driving costs down and increasing mission readiness.
We work with internal and commercial partners to create a culture that embraces advanced manufacturing capabilities including additive manufacturing and cold spray. This work is guided by smart data analyses performed by Condition-based Maintenance Plus to establish a need-based system that focuses on customers and rapidly responds to evolving requirements.
On October 20-23, 2020, the RSO hosted the inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Olympics (AMO), a state-of-the-art virtual conference, to bring together experts across government, industry, academia and business. AMO was four days of unforgettable technical experiences, cutting-edge speakers, virtual peer networking and more.
The RSO is developing an organic industrial base within the U.S. Air Force by utilizing additive technologies such as 3D printing to produce tooling, fixtures, support equipment, and aircraft parts.
A-10, B-1, B-2, B-52, C-130 , C-17, C-5, E-3, F-15, F-16, HH-60, J85, JSTARS, T-51, TF34, TG-16, U-2, VC-25
Cold spray is a solid-state metal additive and coating technology used for component repair, which deposits dense metallic coatings by accelerating a metal powder through a supersonic nozzle. We’re utilizing this repair method to quickly and reliably address fatigue-related issues on non-critical aircraft parts.
This repair method safely coats the existing substrate using metals, polymers, ceramics, composite materials, and nanocrystalline as powders.
A-10, B-1, B-52 (TF33 engine), C-5, E-3, F-15, F-16
The RSO is developing a database of additive manufacturing parts using cloud-based technology and a web-based front-end user interface to track and analyze metrics that reflect progress, status, and success within this focus area.
We are working with 3D Cloud on a Carbon Cloud that will allow for the selection of parts and identification of print sites for secure download, production, and delivery. 3D Cloud’s ‘Carbon Cloud’ scalable solution allows the DoD to capitalize on this disruptive, risk-mitigating, technology by providing warfighters with an intuitive interface and curated database to request and field items via local manufacturing facilities, even in deployed environments.
3D Cloud - awarded prototype contract at RSO Pitch Day
We are working with Figure Engineering to develop a novel, low-noise dry ice blasting process. The goal is to improve the overall throughput of several specific maintenance tasks. The enhancement of programmed depot maintenance processes will improve overall readiness rates for Air Force aircraft. The replacement of current manual processes with Dry Ice Blasting will lead to a reduction in labor hours per aircraft and improve fleet readiness across the U.S. Air Force.
Figure Engineering - awarded prototype contract at RSO Pitch Day
We are working with ReliaCoat Technologies to develop a thermal spray digital thread platform in propulsion aero-engine applications. The digital thread platform will be adaptive, populating historical data and ongoing activities with future predictive capabilities allowing customized visualization for operator, engineer, and manager. This enhancement will ultimately result in cost savings/avoidance, increased productivity, and improved mission readiness.
ReliaCoat Technologies - awarded prototype contract at RSO Pitch Day
Advanced manufacturing allows the U.S. Air Force to save time and money by quickly fixing outdated and/or critical components. The existing 3D printing process is time consuming and error prone involving manual tasks and handoffs. The risk of non-compliant parts being installed without any visibility into the chain of custody is a problem that needs to be addressed. This solution allows 3D printing stakeholders to collaborate and fix issues using a secure workflow. This workflow supports integrations between service requests, procurement workflows and predictive maintenance.
Vivsoft Technologies LLC - awarded prototype contract at RSO Pitch Day
We are working with VEXTEC to develop a computational framework that would provide the ability to optimize and scale additive manufacturing processes virtually, reducing the subsequent physical test burden for qualification. The current additive manufacturing development and validation process is iterative, costly and slow. With this virtual part qualification software, there is the potential to reduce the testing required by fifty percent.
VEXTEC Corporation - awarded prototype contract at RSO Pitch Day
Whether you are a tech company with a big idea for the sustainment of Air Force systems or an Air Force or other military/government organization looking to get involved, the RSO wants to hear from you! Please fill out and submit our form, and we will put you in touch with the right person.