Metal 3D printing company Nikon AM Synergy has secured a contract to produce defense components using additive manufacturing for the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
The award falls under the Joint Additive Manufacturing Acceptability (JAMA) IV Pilot Parts Program, which aims to validate production methods in support of warfighters and expand the corresponding supply base.
Work will take place at Nikon’s technology center in Long Beach, California, supporting naval, aviation, space, and defense requirements.
Backing On-Demand Production
The JAMA IV program uses an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity procurement model that allows multiple industry partners to supply metal and polymer parts of different complexity to address task orders issued by military services.
The initiative also seeks to accelerate vendor qualification and refine standards for approving 3D-printed materials for fielding.
“Nikon AM continues to build upon and accelerate our holistic approach to deliver vital advanced manufacturing and sustainment capabilities that are crucial to the United States and allied partners at speed,” said Behrang Poorganji, vice president of technology at Nikon AM.
“We are very proud to support the DLA by enabling agile, on-demand production of critical components and strengthening supply chain resilience for mission-ready operations.”
Nikon in DIU’s FORGE
The award follows Nikon’s separate contract to deploy its metal 3D printing capabilities for the US Defense Innovation Unit.
Associated services will assist the Foundry for Operational Readiness and Global Effects or FORGE program, which connects the US military with suppliers to prototype solutions that increase production capacity and reduce bottlenecks for aeronautical metal parts.
Nikon AM will also support the effort with its metal additive techniques at its Long Beach plant, demonstrating approaches that promote “survivability, reliability, and affordability.”
