Naval Research Lab adds 3D metal printing capability

The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL; Washington, DC), the Navy's full-spectrum corporate laboratory, has selected Concept Laser's (Grapevine, TX) 3D metal printing technology for rapid prototyping and materials research. This is their first laser powder-bed metals machine.

"We require a wide range of additive manufacturing capabilities, ranging from quality monitoring to process parameter development, and need an architecture conducive to that research and development effort," said Dr. Charles Rohde, NRL Acoustics Division.

NRL will be using Concept Laser's M2 cusing and QM Meltpool 3D systems to monitor the quality of their metal applications, inspecting the part as it grows. This will also help them identify any design defects and if an application is on the edge of acceptability.

"I'm very excited the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is bolstering their focus on metal additive manufacturing. There are so many advantages of 3D metal printing that our defense strategy could benefit from, including reduced lead time, less material waste, and printing complex geometries with no required assembly. NRL has a history of over 90 years of innovation in naval power and we look forward to hearing how they will use 3D metal printing to break boundaries," states John Murray, president and CEO of Concept Laser.

For more information, please visit www.concept-laser.de.