Con el objetivo de incrementar la resiliencia en la cadena de abastecimientos del\u00a0Area de Defensa, la \u201cAdministraci\u00f3n Biden\u201d ha reunido grandes compa\u00f1\u00edas de ese pa\u00eds, en un conglomerado denominado\u00a0AM Forward\u00a0(Additive Manufacturing Forward). Se trata de varias compa\u00f1\u00edas como Boeing, Northrop Grumman y otras, que impulsar\u00e1n a peque\u00f1as y medianas empresas (PyMes), para que implementen la tecnolog\u00eda de 3D printing (AM) en su infraestructura productiva, en capacidad de abastecer de piezas y componentes demandados por las grandes compa\u00f1\u00edas para sus programas en curso y futuros. En ese marco, las integrantes de\u00a0AM Forward\u00a0se comprometen a dar capacitaci\u00f3n y entrenamiento a las PyMes, asistirlas tecnol\u00f3gicamente, establecer los est\u00e1ndares de calidad de fabricaci\u00f3n requeridos y finalmente, demandar y adquirir lo producido por las mismas.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The companies join Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, GE, Siemens, and Honeywell as members of the\u00a0AM Forward<\/a>\u00a0group that the Biden administration\u00a0announced in May<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile 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\u2019 global competitiveness,\u201d ASTRO America, the nonprofit organization that runs AM Forward, said in a Wednesday\u00a0statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pentagon leaders spanning three presidential administrations have pushed the military and defense companies to\u00a0expand their use of 3D-printed parts<\/a>\u00a0in 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough 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\u2019 adoption of new capabilities; and engage in development of common standards and certification for additive products,\u201d the group said in a statement.<\/p>\n 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is\u00a0 used by several high-profile space and rocket startups. The technology could allow companies to\u00a0quickly build rockets<\/a>,\u00a0drones<\/a>, and\u00a0satellites<\/a>.<\/p>\n The coronavirus pandemic and supply-chain woes that followed have prompted companies\u2014and Biden administration officials\u2014to look to 3D printing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe supply chain crisis isn\u2019t just about improving our ports. It\u2019s also about innovating shop floors\u2014right here in America\u2019s small business factories,\u201d said STRO America President Neal Orringer<\/p>\n