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<\/div>Portable Factory<\/h2>
The United States Department of Defense just awarded a contract to additive manufacturing company ExOne to develop 3D printing mini-factories that could be deployed into the field during a military operation.<\/p>
The factories are essentially complete 3D printing labs that can be housed entirely within a shipping container, according to Interesting Engineering<\/em><\/a>. It’s an intriguing — though not unprecedented — idea that the Defense Department says will help improve military logistics and allow for parts and tools to be replaced as needed on the spot.<\/p> The 40-foot containers will contain all of the necessary equipment to scan, model, and manufacture parts out of metals, ceramics and other composite materials, according to Interesting Engineering<\/em>. The idea is to make the process as straightforward as possible so that soldiers or technicians in the field can replace parts and tools with a powder-based 3D printing process called binder jetting<\/a> — without needing a great deal of technical knowledge.<\/p> “Binder jet 3D printing is a critical manufacturing technology for military use because of its speed, flexibility of materials, and ease of use,” ExOne CEO John Hartner said in a press release<\/a>.<\/p> The new Defense Department project won’t be the first portable military 3D printer, according to Interesting Engineering<\/em>. Though the Army has been talking about the concept for years, the Marines used<\/a> a similar but smaller printer in 2018. The Dutch Navy also has a collapsible printer<\/a> for spare parts.<\/p> But the new contract seems to be for a more comprehensive facility than any before it, making it an interesting project to watch as we see how portable printing technology develops in the field.<\/p> READ MORE: <\/strong>US Military to Have 3D-Printing Factories in Shipping Containers<\/a> [Interesting Engineering<\/em>]<\/p> More on 3D printing:<\/strong> First 3D Printed House Goes on Sale in United States<\/a><\/em><\/p> The post The US Military Is Getting 3D Printing “Factories” Inside Shipping Containers<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> The rest is here: Portable Factory The United States Department of Defense just awarded a contract to additive manufacturing company ExOne to develop 3D printing mini-factories that could be deployed into the field during a military operation. The factories are essentially complete 3D printing labs that can be housed entirely within a shipping container, according to Interesting Engineering Continue reading Full Loadout<\/h2>
Arms Race<\/h2>
The US Military Is Getting 3D Printing “Factories” Inside Shipping Containers<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"