美国Naval Postgraduate School（NPS）宣布了与全球印刷和数字文档公司的研究合作复印to explore the potential for 3D printing to transform how the military supplies its deployed forces. As part of the agreement, NPS has installed the Xerox ElemX Liquid Metal 3D printer on its university campus.
ElemX是the name now given to the复印metal 3D printingplatform displayed by Vader Systems at IMTS and acquired by Xerox in 2019.
Using the ElemX, NPS students and faculty staff will investigate how additive manufacturing can develop new capabilities for the US Navy and Marine Corps.
“The military supply chain is among the most complex in the world, and NPS understands first-hand the challenges manufacturers must address,” said Naresh Shanker, Xerox Chief Technology Officer. “This collaboration will aid NPS in pushing adoption of 3D printing throughout the US Navy, and will provide Xerox valuable information to help deliver supply chain flexibility and resiliency to future customers.”
施乐进入3D打印
With an established background in paper printing, Xerox entered the 3D printing sector initially as a reseller with intentions of“developing a roadmap to participate in 3D printing”. Xerox acquired液态金属喷气式3D打印机manufacturerVADER系统in February 2019, and later that yearmade its Formnext debutwith a significant presence at the event.
At the show, Xerox showcased the development of polymer powders for SLS 3D printers and its Multi Nozzle Extrusion high-speed FDM system, in addition to its Liquid Metal 3D printing systems.
最近，该公司结束了敌对收购的竞标竞争者惠普公司引用了围绕正在进行的Covid-19局势的担忧。复印首先进行了335亿美元的出价to acquire HP in November 2019 which was subsequently rejected and resulted in a proxy fight to replace the HP board at the start of 2020. While Xerox’s pursuit of HP has come to a halt for now, the firm maintains a deal between the two companies would be mutually beneficial in the long run.
Advancing 3D printing research
施乐和NPS之间的合作研究与发展协议（CRADA）旨在探索施乐技术可以为美军提供金属零件和设备的按需打印的新方法。通过合作伙伴关系，NPS学生将研究与Elemx 3D打印机设计，创建和原型制作的新颖方法，以及无论位置如何扩展制造能力。
“From the age of sail to the nuclear era, sailors have been fixing things at sea so they can complete the mission,” said NPS President, Ann Rondeau. “This partnership is about the strategic ability of the navy to have sailors on ships with the capability through creativity and technology to advance their operations at sea.
“Through collaboration, NPS and Xerox are helping build a navy for the 21st Century.”
施乐的Elemx 3D打印机使用铝线来制造最终用途的零件，以承受操作需求并按需产生可靠的替换零件。根据退休的美国海军陆战队上校和NPS校友会和基金会托德·里昂（Todd Lyons）的副主席，这项技术可以减少对美国军方复杂的全球供应链的依赖，同时还为传统制造业提供了成本收益。
“The NPS Alumni Association and Foundation supported bringing the ElemX liquid metal printer to NPS because it will enable soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines to solve their problems where they are, when problems occur,” he said. “By providing the right digital tools and the liquid metal printer, all of a sudden we’ve helped to transform not just the supply chain, but how the Department of Defense thinks operationally about supplying war.”
美国military has previously dabbled with integrating 3D printing into its operations, having experimented with3D printing missile parts，一个数字双胞胎项目，重新设计和3D print parts for its Black Hawk helicoptersand other vehicles, andcustomized earplugsfor its soldiers. The army has also investigated a method for预测3D printed steel零件的维护和性能，这可以帮助它预测零件何时会降解或失败并需要更换。
In a press event last year, the head of Army Material Command Gus Perna stated the time had come for the US Army to develop a means foreffectively deploying 3D printing在其武器库，仓库和植物中trialed the technologyfor some time.
The CRADA underway between Xerox and NPS will further the adoption of 3D printing across the US Military, and according to Xerox Vice President and General Manager Tali Rosman, this could be replicated across many other sectors, too.
“Global supply chains leave industries like aerospace, automotive, heavy equipment, and oil and gas vulnerable to external risks,” he said. “Our goal is to integrate localized 3D printing into their operations, and the real-time feedback from NPS gives us actionable data to continuously improve the ElemX.”
Subscribe to the3D打印行业newsletterfor the latest news in additive manufacturing. You can also stay connected by following us onTwitterand liking us onFacebook.
Looking for a career in additive manufacturing? Visit3D Printing Jobsfor a selection of roles in the industry.
特色图片显示哈里·S·杜鲁门号（CVN 75）。通过美国海军/迈克尔·陈的照片。
