SEEKR Advanced Manufacturing Data Analytics

In partnership with the Air Force’s Additive Manufacturing Program Office (AMPO), EXPANSIA – an SDVOSB firm specializing in additive manufacturing (AM), IT and cloud solutions, and technology transformation - has developed an enhanced application called SEEKR, revolutionizing the way parts are selected and prioritized for AM in the Air Force. SEEKR melds DoD logistics data with technical parts data using advanced data architecture techniques. SEEKR uses this data to prioritize part needs and identify parts suffering from diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS), thus assisting in resolving longstanding supply chain issues.

SEEKR innovates by checking part requirements against disparate data sources to help identify probable AM solutions. It currently has 667 different AM materials within its library. SEEKR has been used to assess over 6,000 different Air Force parts and has identified approximately 900 parts viable for AM. In a recent AM contract with the USAF RSO, EXPANSIA utilized SEEKR to evaluate 1,100 parts per airframe for the B-1, B-52, E-3, and KC-135 aircrafts. Of those, 689 parts were identified as viable AM solutions. These candidates are currently in the process of being prioritized for new projects to create AM variants of the parts. EXPANSIA compiled information and lessons learned from multiple AM printer companies to create viable sustainment pathways for additively manufactured parts moving forward. SEEKR has been designated as the innovative solution that assists the development of AM capabilities utilizing commercial airworthiness certified printing processes, methods, and procedures, allowing full use of developed material processing information and repeatability. Utilizing SEEKR reduces DMSMS and lead-time on parts with obsolescence issues.