3D Printing Company Sciaky Wins NASA SBIR Award

NASA has approved a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Award to 3D printing company Sciaky. The money will be used by the company to enhance its Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM) process with new machine-learning algorithms that automatically identify and eliminate defects with titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) 3D-printed parts and structures.

"This new capability will further solidify why EBAM is at the forefront of industrial additive manufacturing advancements."

Scott Phillips, president and CEO of Sciaky, Inc.

The new machine-learning algorithms will utilize Sciaky's patented Interlayer Real-time Imaging and Sensing System, also known as IRISS, to monitor titanium deposition, identify anomalies, and fix them. These intuitive adaptive control features will help manufacturers deliver consistent results, from the first part to the last.

As the most widely scalable metal additive manufacturing solution in the industry (in terms of work envelope), Sciaky's EBAM systems can produce parts ranging from 8 inches (203 mm) to 19 feet (5.79 meters) in length. EBAM is also the fastest solution in the metal additive manufacturing market, with gross deposition rates up to 25 lbs. (11.34 kg) of metal per hour.

"Sciaky is proud to partner with NASA and enhance process control for titanium 3D printing," said Scott Phillips, president and CEO of Sciaky, Inc. "This new capability will further solidify why EBAM is at the forefront of industrial additive manufacturing advancements."

Sciaky, Inc., a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries. Its exclusive Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM) process is the fastest, most cost-effective 3D printing process in the market for large-scale metal parts, allowing manufacturers to save significant time and money over traditional manufacturing and rapid prototyping processes. Sciaky's EB welding systems and job shop services meet rigid military specifications to manufacture items such as airframes, landing gear, jet engines, guided missiles and vehicle parts.

The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization.

(Image provided with Sciaky news release)