Nikon Advanced Manufacturing Leads $2.1M Metal AM Project for Defence and Aerospace
Nikon Advanced Manufacturing has launched a $2.1 million multi-phase project to accelerate metal additive manufacturing (AM) in aerospace and defence. The project receives funding from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD ManTech). It involves key industry players such as Constellium, ASTM International, and 3Degrees. Leading aerospace companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, General Atomics, and Honeywell Aerospace also advise the program. This collaboration highlights Nikon’s focus on using advanced metal AM technologies to close gaps in the defence industrial base.
Focus on Metal AM and Advanced Materials to Drive Innovation
The project’s first phases focus on validating Constellium’s Aheadd CP1 Aluminum alloy for 3D printing thermal management and heat exchanger parts. Nikon Advanced Manufacturing will conduct testing through its Nikon AM Synergy business, which specializes in aerospace and defence metal AM. This work will create vital material datasets to support adoption by the Department of Defense and commercial aerospace sectors. Nikon aims to develop property characterizations and transfer data to the Workbench for Additive Materials (WAM) database. These steps will help standardize and streamline metal AM material use.
Expanding Metal AM Capabilities with Industry Expertise
Nikon expanded its metal AM capabilities significantly by acquiring SLM Solutions and Morf3D in 2023. The company opened large additive manufacturing centers in California and Japan. Additionally, Nikon recruited retired U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen to boost its aerospace and defence focus. The firm introduced specialized metal 3D printing technologies for turbine blade repair. It also forged research partnerships to improve titanium aerospace component repairs. These efforts underline Nikon’s role as a key player advancing metal AM for critical defence and aerospace applications.
SuperMetalPrice Commentary:
Nikon Advanced Manufacturing’s partnership with America Makes marks a strategic milestone for metal additive manufacturing in defence and aerospace. The focus on advanced aluminum alloys and high-performance metal AM systems shows a shift toward scalable, resilient manufacturing. As governments prioritize supply chain security and operational readiness, projects like this pave the way for wider AM technology adoption. Monitoring Nikon’s progress offers insight into the future of metals innovation and industrial policy in high-stakes sectors.
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