UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

Distribution Statement A. Approved for Public Release. Distribution is unlimited.

FY17 Department of Navy Additive Manufacturing PrintFY17 Department of Navy Additive Manufacturing Print--aa--ThonThon

Small Arms Support Component Small Arms Support Component -- MK93 STOW LOCK MK93 STOW LOCK Org Logo Here

Many small arms support components are traditional-ly manufactured from multiple welded machined and sheet metal pieces. Misalignment of the pieces and/or warping during welding can bring the final compo-nent out of geometric specification and result in fit is-sues which impact use of the overall system. In the past, orders to vendors not experienced in the manu-facture of these components lead to high initial scrap rates and back-and-forth dialogue before the part can be produced within specification. In-house metal AM has the potential to reduce lead-time significantly when responding to a rapid, low volume component demand.

Transition:

Transition Customers - MK93 Users:

US Navy

Marine Corps

Naval Special Warfare (NSW)

US Coast Guard

Timeline Potential:

Short Term (Testing Required)

Business Case:

Current, Traditionally Manufactured:

60-90+ day Lead Time

$130 / part in orders of 50+

Additively Manufactured:

5-10 days

$660 / part in orders of 1

Warfighter Support: A faster end-product turn around time for urgent, low volume demand.

The Technology:

System:

3DSystems ProX 300

Powder Bed Fusion (PBF)

Material:

17-4PH Stainless Steel

Challenges:

Printer Size Limitations: The chosen component in the idealorientation had to be manufactured in 3 pieces and then welded.However, the risk of component warp or misalignment duringwelding is reduced significantly from the traditionally manufactureddesign due to the reduction of welds and low-risk weld locations.Cost savings and further risk reduction could be had with removal ofthe welding step (using a printer with a larger build volume or usingother orientations which may require further post-processing).

Testing/Schedule: Full functional, dimensional, and on-platformtesting could not be conducted prior to the Print-A-Thon.

Readiness/Sustainment ConceptReadiness/Sustainment Concept