Will a digital warehouse replace the existing defense supply chain?

The first session of the Virtual AM for Defense Conference starts with two topics that even have a broader impact than just the defense industry. Participants get insights from a comparison between additive manufacturing and CNC milling and a look behind the scenes at the Koninklijke Landmacht. The Dutch army wants to digitize the warehouses for as much spare parts as possible. Together with DiManEx, the first steps are currently being taken towards a digital warehouse from which parts can be printed directly, anywhere in the world.

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Matchmaker Jakajima and 3D Print magazine will host the first edition of the Virtual AM for Defense Conference this fall. The first session is scheduled for 27 October. In it, Stephan Wildenberg, Stafofficer Landmacht Maintenance Initiative at the Matlogco of the Royal Netherlands Army together with Tibor van Melsem Kocsis, CEO and founder of DiManEx, outline the route to the transition from physical stocks to digital warehouses.

Parts anywhere 3D printing from the platform

The DiManEx Platform helps organizations quickly identify which parts are suitable for 3D printing, both technically and from a business point of view. Subsequently, the – mostly – old 2D drawings are also converted into a digital twin. If the Department of Defence approves the parts, they will be placed on the platform in the digital warehouse from where the parts can be printed directly, on their own printers or within the global DiManEx network. Stephan Wildenberg and Tibor van Melsem will focus in their presentation on the role of change management in the process and how the Ministry of Defence can involve the supply chain in this transition.

What does AM mean for cost and leadtime F35 part?

The second topic in this session is the comparison between additive manufacturing and CNC machining. Michel Honoré, who presents the comparison, works at the Danish Force Technology institute. On the basis of a concrete project with a Danish supplier to the JSF supply chain, the comparison is made between 3D metal printing with a robot and CNC machining the part. Additive manufacturing turns out to be attractive from both a cost and lead time point of view. In addition, Michel Honoré shows that the problems with metal welding can be overcome.

The Virtual AM for Defense Conference starts October 27th at 16.00 hours and lasts until 18.00 hours (CET). More information and registration can be found here