Indirect Hybrid am Systems and Defense Applications

Hybrid additive manufacturing is often defined as only being the combination of additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing. However, the combinations of additive manufacturing with other processes enable many more new processes. This presentation will cover the new emerging indirect additive manufacturing systems that combine 3D printing with metal casting that are intended for entities that are not foundries. The benefits of such approaches will be covered including faster speeds, lower costs, and easier qualification from casting and the elimination of tooling and more complex geometries enabled by 3D printing. Specific defense case studies based on the additive manufacturing evaporative casting (AMEC) process and ongoing R&D will be reviewed .