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NIST to Promote Metal Additive Manufacturing Through Nearly $4M in Grants

More than ever, we are seeing that governments are investing in additive manufacturing as a way to promote more sustainable, clean manufacturing. The United States especially has been pushing the technology as a part of its build back better framework.…

NIST to Promote Metal Additive Manufacturing Through Nearly $4M in Grants
3Dnatives

More than ever, we are seeing that governments are investing in additive manufacturing as a way to promote more sustainable, clean manufacturing. The United States especially has been pushing the technology as a part of its build back better framework. And now, we are seeing the continued commitment the US government has for AM. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded $3.7 million in grants to help address current and future barriers to widespread adoption of metal additive manufacturing. This will be done through NIST’s own research as research projects at The Research Foundation for the State University of New York, Colorado School of Mines, Auburn University and General Electric.

Though interest in 3D printing has significantly increased since the pandemic showed its true capabilities, in the past year we have seen a clear push to adoption of AM in industry. This was notably seen in May when the Biden Administration launchd its AM Forward Initiative. In this, the Biden Administration highlighted adoption of AM as a way to improve the competitiveness of small and medium sized manufacturers as well as to bolster supply chain resiliency in the long-term. This latest push from NIST, which is part of the US Chamber of Commerce, shows their continued commitment to promoting additive manufacturing in the longterm.

NIST

Photo Credits: NIST

Commenting on the decision, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio explained, “The U.S. can take a leading role in developing the measurements and international standards that will help accelerate adoption of these important 3D-printing technologies. To compete globally, we need to invest in programs such as this that bring together our best minds in industry, academia and government to solve important technical challenges.” As might be expected, NIST is especially interested in addressing qualification through new measurement methods and standards.