Global industrial behemoths Northrop Grumman and Boeing have partnered with the US government to encourage smaller American businesses to use additive manufacturing.
Signing up for the Program
The AM Forward program, started by US President Joe Biden and the Applied Science & Technology Research Organization of America (ASTROA), brings together major American industries to encourage the use of 3D printing or other high-performance advanced manufacturing technologies. The project’s ultimate goal is to increase worldwide competitiveness and shop floors in the US.
The goal of the Biden administration, according to Sue Helper, senior counselor for industrial policy at the White House, is to bring down the price of goods and services that meet the requirements of American families. Making more products in America and establishing more reliable and secure supply chains, according to the helper, is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Helper also added that they commend Boeing and Northrop Grumman for publicly pledging to support further use of additive manufacturing and for realizing the advantages of pushing it in their supply chains.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman
The two businesses will, among other publicly stated commitments in the project, buy additively manufactured parts from smaller US-based suppliers, educate contractors on new additive technologies, and provide in-depth technical support to help their suppliers embrace new standard capabilities.
Boeing will specifically look to add 30% more qualified small and medium-sized suppliers to its supply chain. Additionally, it will focus on small- and medium-sized businesses to compete in RFQ packages for goods made with 3D printed materials.
Northrop will aim for 50% of RFQ packages issued out for the development of manufacturing processes employing additive manufacturing or related technologies to be completed by US-based suppliers.
With the addition of Boeing and Northrop, there are now seven businesses involved in the AM Forward program, including GE Aviation, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and Siemens Energy, according to a statement from ASTROA.
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