Con el objetivo de incrementar la resiliencia en la cadena de abastecimientos del Area de Defensa, la “Administración Biden” ha reunido grandes compañías de ese país, en un conglomerado denominado AM Forward (Additive Manufacturing Forward). Se trata de varias compañías como Boeing, Northrop Grumman y otras, que impulsarán a pequeñas y medianas empresas (PyMes), para que implementen la tecnología de 3D printing (AM) en su infraestructura productiva, en capacidad de abastecer de piezas y componentes demandados por las grandes compañías para sus programas en curso y futuros. En ese marco, las integrantes de AM Forward se comprometen a dar capacitación y entrenamiento a las PyMes, asistirlas tecnológicamente, establecer los estándares de calidad de fabricación requeridos y finalmente, demandar y adquirir lo producido por las mismas.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman have joined a White House-backed consortium that is pushing smaller aerospace and defense suppliers to manufacture more 3D-printed parts.
The companies join Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, GE, Siemens, and Honeywell as members of the AM Forward group that the Biden administration announced in May.
“While U.S. manufacturing is making a comeback, not enough American companies are adopting 3D printing or other high-performance advanced manufacturing technologies, which have the power to transform shop floors across the country and improve suppliers’ global competitiveness,” ASTRO America, the nonprofit organization that runs AM Forward, said in a Wednesday statement.
Pentagon leaders spanning three presidential administrations have pushed the military and defense companies to expand their use of 3D-printed parts in weapons and equipment. The technology could allow troops to more easily and quickly repair or even replace weapons on the battlefield without large supply depots.
“Through AM Forward, each of these major U.S. companies make clear, public commitments to purchase additively produced parts from smaller U.S.-based suppliers; train the workers of their suppliers on new additive technologies; provide detailed technical assistance to support their suppliers’ adoption of new capabilities; and engage in development of common standards and certification for additive products,” the group said in a statement.
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is used by several high-profile space and rocket startups. The technology could allow companies to quickly build rockets, drones, and satellites.
The coronavirus pandemic and supply-chain woes that followed have prompted companies—and Biden administration officials—to look to 3D printing.
“The supply chain crisis isn’t just about improving our ports. It’s also about innovating shop floors—right here in America’s small business factories,” said STRO America President Neal Orringer
Fuente: https://www.defenseone.com
