The U.S Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) has revealed its use of 3D printing to create crucial functional parts.
在Ardec，工程师正在研究将3D打印实验室部署到前线以制造基本零件的可能性。
The Rapid Fabrication (R-FAB) system would enable soldiers to manufacture spare parts or tools to help in their missions.
Packbot
Ardec通过为Packbot制造许多功能零件来展示其3D打印能力。Packbot是由Irobot开发的既定机器人系统，并由美国军方广泛使用。
With the R-FAB, ARDEC has demonstrated the ability to repair the machine with 3D printed parts rather than depending on the OEM. The 3D printed parts are shown as replacements but have also saved 6 pounds in weight (2.7kg).
3D打印也可以实现以创建可用于任务的设备作为U.S Marines showed recently with the 3D printed Nibbler drone。
为什么美国陆军3D印刷？
According to Capt. Jeremy Pinson, Additive Manufacturing Lead for U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command,
“The number one priority of our Army is readiness,”
The R-FAB system, for Capt. Pinson, “allows Soldiers and leaders to increase their readiness by making either authorized replacement parts or user-designed “readiness replacement parts.” The European Defence Agency has similarly explored the possibilities of 3D printing on the frontline通过在载飞机上测试打印。
The U.S Army’s R-FAB ‘kits’ will contain all the necessary tools to fabricate, including software, tools and design files.
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特色图像显示了吉布提（Djibouti）前线部署的Packbot。通过中士照片。詹妮弗·皮兰特（Jennifer Pirante）。
