FIELD EXPEDIENT


Army researchers create plastic and metal objects in short order with state-of-the-art 3-D printing technology


by Mr. David McNally


Ground, MD, you hear the overpowering hum of massive machines with robotic parts swinging past viewing windows, as technicians spray different objects with lasers attached to limber metallic arms.


W


Fifty years ago, what goes on in this lab would have been considered science fic- tion, but what these Army researchers do is scientific fact, and they do it fast. Te engineers in this lab create 3-D objects out of plastic and metal in printers that seem like “Star Trek” replicators.


“It’s allowed us to develop items for the warfighter quicker,” said Rapid Tech- nologies Branch Chief Rick Moore. Te branch is part of the Advanced Design and Manufacturing Division of the Engineering Directorate at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. “We’re able to come up with concepts and designs using our software, print them out, and have them in an engineer’s hand the next day.”


hen you walk into the Rapid Technolo- gies Branch laboratory at Aberdeen Proving


‘KIND OF A MAGICAL THING’ Tis Rapid Technologies Branch lab is an element of the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Com- mand, which has labs and research centers across the country. Army scien- tists, researchers, and engineers reach out to the team as needed.


3-D objects are created with computer- aided design (CAD) programs, but Moore and his team also use lasers to scan an object, creating a 3-D file. Tis process allows them to reverse-engineer practically anything.


For example, an Army technician scans part of a protective mask. As the laser passes over every square millimeter of the object, the computer plots 3-D points in its memory. On screen, the mask comes into view immediately as a 3-D object. Sending the file to the printer results in the creation of a solid copy within a few hours.


“It is kind of a magical thing,” Moore said. “Seeing people who have never seen it before come through the lab [and]


ASC.ARMY.MIL 177


FIELD EXPEDIENT


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