Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing for Lightweight Metallic Structures, Phase I

The initial application of high performance Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing enabled structures will likely be in NASA space structure programs. The innovation focuses on more efficient lightweight metals and manufacturing techniques for launch vehicles and in-space applications resulting in structures having affordable, reliable, predictable performance with reduced costs. A secondary NASA application is in lightweight internal components, such as thermal management devices used in spacecraft. The innovation focuses on Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing fabrication of more efficient lightweight metals and manufacturing techniques for launch vehicles and in-space applications resulting in structures having affordable, reliable, predictable performance with reduced costs. However, the demand for such structures extends beyond space vehicles. Experts estimate that the AM market to double by 2015 as material properties become better understood and application examples become more prevalent. While there is an increasing need for metal-based AM processes, only a few companies have entered into this field because of the technology barriers. The patented UAM process is a metals-based AM technology that has the potential to overcome several of these limitations because it relies on a low-temperature, solid-state welding. The market for UAM is well poised for strong growth in all arenas that include aerospace, automotive, and oil exploration. More »