America Makes Announces $6.4 Million Open Project Call

The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and America Makes have announced a new open project call worth a total of $6.4 million. The number of anticipated awards and maximum funding will vary depending on the topic area addressed.

The request for proposal is separated into two parts. The first, Open Project Call 2023, includes the following topics:

• Topic 1 – Design for Dimensional Inspection of Internal Features via In-Situ Process Monitoring​
• Topic 2 – Thermal Manipulations for Processing Improvements​
• Topic 3 – In-Process Sensor Calibration, Characterization Methods and Operating Limits to Yield Reliable Process Data ​
• ​Topic 4 – Frameworks for Utilizing Process Monitoring in Conjunction with Ex-Situ Inspection for Qualification ​
• ​Topic 5 – AM Process Pre-Qualification​
• ​Topic 6 – “Should vs. Could” Tool and Training

These utilize workshop outputs, member inputs, as well as working and advisory group subject matter expertise to identify and formulate topics for the benefit of the AM community.

“This is a prime example of how member input is leading to opportunities to execute and advance AM technologies and education and workforce development for the benefit of U.S. manufacturing competitiveness,” according to Brandon Ribic, Technology Director at America Makes, Ribic.

The second document, Methods and Approaches for Sustainable Additive Manufacturing (AM) Operations, worth $5.2 million in funding, include:

• Topic 7 – Analysis of AM Sustainability and Environmental Benefits​
• Topic 8 – Methods for Demonstrating Operational Qualification

These two topics aim to develop and demonstrate sustainable practices and products through design, material selection and development, material handling and/or recycling.

The open project call is funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Research and Engineering Manufacturing Technology Office and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Founded in 2012 as the Department of Defense’s national manufacturing innovation institute for AM and first of the Manufacturing USA network, America Makes is based in Youngstown, Ohio, and managed by the not-for-profit NCDMM.

America Makes will host a kickoff webinar regarding the open project call on Thursday, July 27, at Virtual Technical Review & Exchange. To be eligible to receive funds, applicants must be a member in good standing with America makes by Aug. 10. Submission deadline is Aug. 25. For more information, visit America Makes.