What is President Biden doing in Cincinnati?

President Biden is in Cincinnati to speak about AM Forward, an additive manufacturing initiative that aims to resolve supply chain issues and increase domestic manufacturing capability.

AM Forward is an initiative that aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing and improve supply chain issues through the adoption of additive manufacturing. Five major manufacturers have committed to the voluntary compact. In addition to direct purchasing from their U.S. AM suppliers, the five manufacturers are also committing to training their suppliers’ staffs on new additive technologies, providing technical assistance and engaging in the development of common standards and product qualifications.

Biden Highlights Manufacturing With Additive Initiative

During a recent visit to Cincinnati, President Joe Biden announced that five U.S. manufacturers have made commitments to purchase additively manufactured parts from smaller, U.S.-based suppliers. Biden made the announcement at United Performance Metals, a specialty metals solutions center serving customers in industries such as aerospace, defense, space, fastener, medical, power generation, oil and gas, semiconductor and others.

The LEAP engine fuel nozzle, pictured here, is often assumed to be the first part that GE Aviation identified for additive manufacturing (AM) and produced this way. But the company printed T25 sensor housing units for more than 400 GE90 engines well before it printed its first LEAP fuel nozzle tips. Photo: GE Aviation

GE Aviation, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Siemens Energy are the initial participants in AM Forward, the White House initiative that aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing and improve supply chain issues through the adoption of additive manufacturing. In addition to direct purchasing, the five manufacturers are also committing to training their suppliers’ staffs on additive technologies, providing technical assistance and engaging in the development of common standards and product qualifications.

According to the White House, AM Forward is a completely voluntary compact open to any OEM to participate, provided they are willing to make public commitments to support their suppliers’ adoption of additive capabilities.

What is Additive Manufacturing?

“Additive manufacturing” (AM) describes the use of 3D printing to make functional components, including tools and end-use production parts. Unlike “subtractive manufacturing” processes — such as machining, where parts are created by removing material — additive manufacturing builds geometries by “adding” feedstock such as filament, wire or powder. Read more