Fonon's Additive Manufacturing Technology To Transform Naval Industry
June 18 2024 - 11:18AM
Business Wire
Navy Domain To See a Decisive Advantage With
3D Laser Metal Printing
Fonon Corporation, a multi-market holding company, R&D
center, equipment designer and manufacturer of advanced laser
material processing systems for subtractive and additive
manufacturing, highlights applications for its Bulk-To-Shape (BTS)
additive manufacturing/ 3D metal printing technology for the naval
industry. This BTS technology is currently being developed by Fonon
and has not been fully commercialized.
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a rapidly growing industrial
method of manufacturing that continues to benefit multiple market
segments. Unlike traditional manufacturing processes that require
molding or those that involve subtractive processes resulting in
material waste, AM systems fabricate complex geometries with no
part-specific tooling and little material waste. Early adopters
used AM in rapid prototyping for quick production of complex parts
and tools. Since then, AM has evolved to be used for the production
of functional end-use parts. Defense professionals in land, sea and
air domains are now exploring the benefits of using this
technology.
Fonon's BTS systems, when fully developed, will be able to
provide naval operators with a solution to produce parts,
components and tools on-demand, which will minimize downtime and
ensure mission readiness. As production material, users would
recycle obsolete parts or raw materials into fully functional
components. Essential machinery would undergo expedited repairs
while at sea, enabling continued operation or, if necessary, “limp
home” capabilities.
Different types of vessels, including small craft, warships and
submarines, can use BTS systems aboard ships to provide critical
spare parts, ensuring continuous operation without the need for
shore-based resupply or returning to port. This capability offers
significant logistical advantages for nations that can effectively
use AM technology in a marine environment. Examples of onboard
AM-printed components include handles, pump housings, tools and
pressure fittings.
When fully actualized, Fonon's BTS system will be capable of
re-creating a three-dimensional model through a combination of
conventional laser additive manufacturing with original metal
powder production. Fonon's 3D laser metal printing systems will
utilize a layered, digitally-driven additive manufacturing process
that directs high-quality, focused laser energy to fuse metal
powder into 3D objects. Production-quality parts and metal
prototypes will be capable of being BTS-manufactured directly from
a digital model and raw material or used parts.
This would lead to quicker procurement of essential components
and a more sustainable supply chain with a reduced carbon
footprint. Physical inventories can be replaced by digital
inventories and new components and parts can be produced on-demand.
Fonon's BTS systems will also empower users to optimize existing
part designs for enhanced performance and reliability, while also
minimizing material waste.
BTS represents Fonon's continuously growing umbrella of
building-block technologies supported by patents, licenses,
next-generation hardware and proprietary metal processing
intellectual property dedicated to designing specialized 3D metal
printing systems for industrial and manufacturing purposes that
represent the fastest path to production readiness.
For more information about Fonon Corporation's transformational
Bulk-To-Shape technology, please visit https://fonon.com.
About Fonon Corporation
Fonon Corporation is a diversified industrial laser equipment
company with a continuously growing umbrella of building-block
technologies supported by patents, licenses, next-generation
hardware, and proprietary metal processing IP. The company is
dedicated to advancing industrial technology and designing
specialized 3D metal printing systems for manufacturing purposes,
representing the fastest path to Manufacturing Readiness Level
10.
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Fonon Corporation Media Relations 1 (844) 366-6624
Marketing@fonon.com