Many of today’s military platforms and weapons systems are delivered behind schedule and over budget. Worse, some of these incredibly expensive systems are delivered without the capabilities promised, or are less effective than originally anticipated. For example, simply look at…
U.S. Marine Corps Proves What’s Possible by 3D Printing in Flight
Imagine being on the battlefield and breaking a bone. Traditionally, you would have to wait for a helicopter to perform a medical evacuation, wait to be seen by a doctor, and wait for them to make you a cast. This…
U.S. Marines Make History by 3D Printing in the Air
The U.S. military views 3D printing and other forms of advanced manufacturing as a way to reimagine traditional manufacturing approaches that have historically been incredibly slow and costly. It also sees these revolutionary approaches to manufacturing as a way to…
The Technologies Enabling the 3D Printing of Affordable Homes
In a previous article on the GovDesignHub, we sat down with Peter Evans, assistant professor of industrial design at Iowa State University, to discuss an exciting program that is exploring the use of 3D printing to reduce the cost of…
Is 3D Printing the Answer to America’s Affordable Housing Crisis?
While it’s a topic that many Americans might be reluctant to talk about, our country has a legitimate housing problem. Many Americans are forced to live in unsuitable housing because they can’t afford a home that’s more appropriate for their…
The US Air Force Looks to Increase Readiness with its New REACT Lab
When our troops are in a war, readiness means everything – it even impacts the lethality and survivability of the warfighter. But readiness extends beyond the actual warfighter to the tools, vehicles, and weapons systems that they’re deployed with. This…
Overcoming the Environment – How Craitor is Enabling 3D Printing at the Tactical Edge
In our last article on the GovDesignHub, we sat down with Eric Shnell, the CEO and Founder of Craitor, a company that’s working collaboratively with the U.S. Marine Corps to develop a 3D printer that can function at the very…
How 3D Printing Can Assist the Warfighter in the Field—Craitor Explains
Military vehicles and weapons systems operate in harsh, austere environments that constantly punish parts and create the need for maintenance and repair. Unfortunately, a weapon system or military vehicle in need of repair is one that can’t benefit the warfighter…
An Introduction to Product Lifecycle Management and Product Data Management
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Product Data Management (PDM) are two terms that you may not hear too often. Chances are you are already following these processes in some way or form but just are not calling them PLM or…
Is the Military Ready to Embrace Additive Manufacturing?
In our last article on the GoveDesignHub (GDH), we sat down with Dr. Samantha McBirney, an engineer at the RAND Corporation, to discuss the benefits the Department of Defense (DoD) would receive from embracing additive manufacturing. Ultimately, we concluded that…
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