The US President Mr. Joe Biden signed an Executive Order in January 2021 titled ‘Made in America’ that seeks to prioritize and incentivize relevant opportunities for American manufacturers wherein they can be the official suppliers to the various departments of the US Government. This strategy includes all forms of manufacturing, conventional as well as additive manufacturing. 

Additionally, the Biden Administration launched the Additive Manufacturing Forward (AM Forward) – a voluntary contract between global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their small-scale US-based suppliers. The agreement aims to boost the adoption of additive capabilities by the smaller US manufacturers and the purchase of these additively-produced parts.

Additive Manufacturing and the US Federal Government

The US government has been investing hundreds of millions of dollars in 3D printing applications for more than three decades. Before the Executive order of January 2021 and the AM Forward, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act (RAMI) of 2013, transformed the American manufacturing sector.

The resulting rapid expansion and incorporation of additive manufacturing can be seen across various governmental actors: 

• Department of Defense
• Department of Energy
• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
• FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
• NIH (National Institute of Health), to name a few.

The inauguration of the Additive Manufacturing Strategy by the Department of Defense aims at setting up a sustainable national quality for additive technologies, 3D printing processes, and overall digital manufacturing processes.

The strategy emphasizes the Department of Defense’s need to lay down clear policies for the incorporation of additive manufacturing technologies in key areas:

• Defense system modernization
• Speed up the prototyping and production of parts for the aerospace, automotive, and tracking and detection sub-sectors in order to overthrow obsolete hardware
• Incorporate innovative, AI-enabled solutions for warfighters

The Department of Defense is aiming to bring together all critical internal and external military and academic stakeholders in a bid to streamline and ease the incorporation of additive technology in the United States military manufacturing and supply chain. 

Along with Defense, the Department of Energy has been a key player in implementing additive and 3D printing capabilities. In partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) of the Department of Energy has 3D-printed functional nozzles, sports cars, heat exchangers, and even houses. The AMO also enables R&D and partnerships with critical players to investigate newer developments and innovations in additive technology.

And, through this exciting additive manufacturing journey, Phillips Corporation has been a key and staunch partner to the US Government. With an aim to provide dedicated and customized additive technologies and streamline a hassle-free manufacturing pathway, we have set up a separate Phillips Federal division and assembled a Phillips 360 team of experts to assist the US government and its various sectors.

To ensure that the additive technologies are properly implemented and harnessed at various levels of the US Government, like federal departments, defense, automobiles, aerospace, medicines, and so on, and offer advanced additive training and customized additive courses for Federal employees, we have set up ‘Additive Minds’ in partnership with EOS North America. 

Phillips Federal is incorporating its own Phillips Additive Hybrid, along with partnerships with EOS Additive Machines, Markforged Additive Machines, and so on, to strengthen the additive manufacturing capabilities of the US Government and its various sectors.

Our core strengths include a robust presence in the local manufacturing sector as well as a remarkable position in the international market. With those, we have applied additive capabilities for pathbreaking innovations and efficient processes via support from the Phillips 360 team.

With the passage of time, the face of manufacturing has been consistently evolving. Gone are the days when advanced machinery was dependent on significant human intervention, thereby leaving room for a high degree of human error. This is the age of Computer Numerical Control Machines, also referred to as CNC Machines. 

What are CNC Machines? 

CNC machines are machines whose operations revolve around computerized controls. These machines find application across industries for a variety of tasks that were hitherto carried out with the use of simpler machines that required a high amount of human interface.

CNC machines are primarily utilized to fabricate metal into the desired shape. To this end, there is a wide array of CNC Machines, for instance:

• CNC Milling Machine 
• CNC Grinding Machine 
• CNC Drilling Machine 
• CNC Wire EDM, etc. 

Major Government Sectors in the United States That Utilize CNC Machines 

The application of CNC machines has made machining and manufacturing processes seamless across sectors in the United States of America. An increasing number of organizations across the globe are investing in CNC machines to enhance productivity, reduce human effort, and curtail overall costs. 

The Federal government has been one of the major users of CNC machines, with the imprint of the technology evident across various government sectors, prominent amongst which are the Defense and Automotives sectors. Here are the key sectors of the US Federal Government wherein CNC machines play an instrumental role in the manufacturing process:

• Defense Sector

The application of CNC machines in the country’s defense sector can be traced as far back as the Gulf War when four-axis CNC machines were employed to manufacture Tomahawk missiles for the US military. Nowadays, a wide array of military equipment is manufactured using CNC machines, ranging from handheld weapons to missiles. The high degree of precision that is characteristic of CNC machining makes it ideal for military equipment. 

• Aerospace Sector

Another key Federal government sector that employs CNC machines is the aerospace sector. CNC Milling machines are utilized to craft the skins of the F35 aircraft. As a result of the precision of the machining, the surface of the plane has minimal, if any, imbalances, thereby reducing the odds of radar detection. Aside from CNC Milling machines, CNC Drilling machines also feature prominently in the manufacture of military aircraft. 

• Detection Equipment 

If there is one thing that is common across detection equipment of various shapes and sizes, it is that the finer the finishing on the equipment, the better its detection capabilities. This is where CNC machines come in. Since CNC Machines can craft metal in precise shapes and sizes, they are excellent for manufacturing detection equipment such as radars. 

• Automotive Sector

CNC machines are also utilized in the Automotive sector. Various parts required in the manufacture and assembly of vehicles can be manufactured using CNC machining. The versatility of this type of machining makes it the ideal choice for fabricating different types of metals and alloys, such as aluminum and stainless steel. Vehicles such as the Hummer H2, for instance, are manufactured using CNC Milling machines. 

Phillips Federal For The US Federal Government’s CNC Machine Requirements

Over the past 25 years, Philips Federal has been the exclusive distributor of CNC HAAS machines and other CNC machining equipment for the various departments of the US Federal Government. 

For any type of CNC machine, you can trust us to deliver high-quality products in a swift manner. In addition to this, our commitment to customer service is second to none. 

Choose Phillips and enjoy a seamless experience. 

As is the case with human beings, machinery comes with a designated shelf life. Some machines tend to have longer shelf lives than their counterparts, but that does not mean that they are not prone to damage and deterioration. 

With the passage of time, certain machine parts need to be repaired or replaced, and in such a scenario, it is always advisable to opt for spare parts manufactured by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), commonly referred to as OEM parts. 

What Are OEM Parts?

An OEM stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer”. A OEM part, as the name suggests, is a machine part manufactured by the same organization that has manufactured the underlying machine. Since each machine is built around a specific and well-crafted design and technical expertise, OEM parts are as close to the original parts installed in any machine at the time of its purchase and/ or installation. 

For machines, OEM parts come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from something as small as nuts and bolts to something as pivotal as the engine of the machine. If you are wondering what does OEM mean for car parts, then it can entail everything from tires to wheels, and engines to sheet cushions.  As for all machines, it is prudent to opt for OEM vehicle parts as well. 

 Why OEM Parts Are The Right Choice

There are advantages galore of purchasing spare parts for your machine from the OEM parts manufacturer. Here is why you must not think twice about ordering OEM parts for your machinery:

• No Supply Holdups: One of the major bottlenecks in purchasing spare parts for your equipment is the holdup on the supply side. You can, however, easily steer clear of this lacuna by ordering OEM spare parts. Since OEM parts manufacturers usually have a sufficient stock of most machine parts, whether, for new assembly or repair, you can be assured of prompt delivery, thereby reducing the downtime on your machine. 
• No Dearth of Expertise: Another benefit of opting for OEM parts is that you can get access to the services of a team of engineers closely acquainted with the design and operational framework of the underlying machine. Such expertise is worth its weight in gold and can lead to a seamless transition from the old parts to the new. 
• No Compromise On Quality: The most important advantage of purchasing OEM parts is, inarguably, the fact that you can be at peace about the quality of the part and its subsequent performance. As opposed to parts purchased from other manufacturers, OEM parts are always likely to be more compatible with your machinery. 
• No Risk of Default: You get a manufacturer’s warranty on purchasing equipment parts from OEM parts manufacturers. This way, there is absolutely no risk of monetary loss in the unlikely event that the part malfunctions. In a world surrounded by uncertainty, having a guarantee on the performance of OEM parts is a significant value-addition. 

Choose Phillips to Buy OEM Parts For Your Machinery  

At Phillips Federal, we are committed to delivering the highest quality OEM parts. As one of the leading OEM Parts Manufacturers for the US Federal Government, a majority of our OEM parts are manufactured locally.

Once you have placed a successful order for an OEM part with us, we shall ensure the shipment of the part the same day or the following day. Our service and parts teams are available to address your queries via phone as well as email. 

Place your OEM Parts order with us now and enjoy a reliable purchase experience. 

Phillips Federal has been associated with the United States Department of Defense (DoD) for over five decades offering its products and expertise in traditional and additive manufacturing technology. Its services include contracting & procurement, life-cycle solutions, project management, training and consulting, service and tech support, CNC manufacturing, and additive manufacturing, among many others. 

In the additive manufacturing segment, the DoD has been facing some challenges in adopting this fast-changing, new-age technology including adequate training for its engineers and capital investments in additive manufacturing equipment. 

Philips has been offering customizable training courses to DoD engineers, consulting services for improving processes, and unique funding options for different types of facilities.

Phillips and Bel Air Finishing 

Phillips Federal has added the post-processing technologies of Bel Air Finishing to its manufacturing programs at the Rock Island Arsenal. The partnership will install a completely operational cell to post-process all types of components manufactured using additive manufacturing. This will be used as a training facility for the US Army and private DoD contractors managing 3D printing anywhere in the world. This cell will include cleaning, polishing, surface grinding, automated build removal, and its own closed-loop water feed system.

Phillips Federal has partnered with Bel Air Finishing to offer mass finishing process technology to the US Defense Services. Bel Air Finishing offers expertise in three essential post-production processes:

• Tumbling;
• Deburring; and
• Polishing

Additionally, the company also offers end-to-end solutions including the cleaning and drying of parts and wastewater treatment.

By joining hands with Bel Air Finishing, Phillips Global has added the Bel Air Mass Finishing Technology to its basket of services offered to the DoD. Via the partnership, Phillips offers Bel Air supplies to boost the post-production process.

About Bel Air Finishing – 3D post-processing

Bel Air offers a range of equipment and supplies to meet specific finishing and post-processing needs. 

Equipment

The list of equipment includes:

• For build/support removal:
  • Water blasters
  • Washers/Dunkers
  • Chemical Tank
• For surface improvement of metal and plastic parts:
  • High-energy centrifugal finisher
  • Low-energy vibratory finisher
  • Dry electro-polish DLyte
• For cleaning, dyeing, and coating:
  • All-in-one cleaning and dyeing system
  • Spin coater
  • Ultrasonic cleaning, rinsing, and drying console
• Ball burnishers
• Centrifugal Barrel Finishers
• Centrifugal Disc Finishers
• Drag Finishers
• Electropolishers
• Magnetic Pin Finishers
• Tumblers
• Vibratory Bowls and Tubs
• Wastewater treatment systems

Supplies

The list of Bel Air Finishing Supply includes:

• Cleaning and Dye:
  • 3D extreme dyeing agent
  • Rapid resin cleanser
  • 3D support cleaner and eco-reclaim agent
• Surface finishing:
  • Tumbling media
  • Water Jet slurry media

Bel Air manufactures its own mass finishing equipment and also sources equipment from manufacturers around the globe to offer the best mass finishing product line to its customers. It prides on customizing the finishing process as per the unique needs of the customer and creating an integrated turnkey system.

Summing Up

While DoD is exploring the benefits of additive manufacturing, the inclusion of Bel Air Finishing will add the much-needed and oft-ignored element of post-processing to the additive manufacturing process.

It is no secret that the manufacturing sector is one of the most pivotal sectors of any economy, driving the cycle of production, distribution, and consumption. Over the course of the past few decades, manufacturing has undergone a drastic evolution, but one thing that has remained constant is the role of machining in manufacturing. Various types of machining constitute the backbone of the manufacturing sector, one of which is EDM manufacturing. 

What Is Electric Discharge Machining? 

Electric Discharge Machining, also known as EDM machining, is a type of machining wherein an EDM manufacturer fabricates metal by way of reduction through an electric charge. The working of an EDM machine is fairly simple: a high-frequency electric current is discharged to the metal that is desired to be shaped. 

The electric spark is transferred to the metal from an electrode and a dielectric liquid serves as the conduit for said transfer. Not only does the aforementioned liquid help control the discharge of the electric charge, but it also plays a pivotal role in the removal of the material separated from the metal. 

Applications of Electric Discharge Machines  

Electric Discharge Machines have various applications, including drilling holes, cutting wires, and die sinking. You can opt for the appropriate category of EDM on the basis of the intended use of the machine. 

For instance, if you wish to utilize an EDM for die sinking, then you need a type of EDM that contains an electrode with a shape opposite of the intended cavity in the workpiece. For wire cutting, EDMs with a vertical wire electrode are ideal. On the other hand, EDMs with electrodes shaped like tubes work best for the purpose of drilling holes in the workpiece. 

 Phillips Federal – USA’s EDM Leader 

Phillips Corporation is a leading supplier of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment in the United States of America. Its Federal division, i.e. Phillips Federal is the leading supplier of EDM and a partner to the United States Federal Government. 

Having completed more than 4,000 projects across 650+ Federal facilities, the company has efficiently spearheaded the supply of high-quality machinery. 

The company is a leader in the EDM space, including wire-cut EDMs. The Phillips Wire EDMs are renowned for their high degree of accuracy, excellent surface finish in the final product, and remarkable efficiency. 

Phillips Federal has collaborated with Sodick with the aim of delivering state-of-the-art EDM machines and milling machines to the US Federal Government. It is worth noting that the Sodick Wire EDM machines are counted amongst the best in the world vis-a-vis linear motor technology, speed, repeatability, and precision. 

The Sodick Wire EDMs find application in various functions, including EDM manufacturing turbine blades and disks, shroud segments, and turbine nozzle vane segments. Owing to their high degree of accuracy, these machines have proven to be game-changers in the aerospace industry, in particular. 

Our collaboration with Sodick Inc. has placed us in a leading position to deliver high-quality and durable equipment to our customers. Since Sodick brings great value to the table, including the design feature for cutting advanced materials like Titanium, they are a prudent choice to expand our already robust EDM portfolio and strengthen our standing as the leading EDM supplier company in the United States. 

 Choose Phillips For Your Next EDM Purchase  

At Phillips Federal, we are committed to delivering legendary value to all our customers and be a constant source of support throughout the manufacturing process. As a celebrated EDM leader, we always endeavor to deliver high-quality products and services. 

If you are looking to purchase an Electric Discharge Machine for your manufacturing facility, then you cannot choose better than USA’s leading EDM organization. 

Reach out to us now and we shall connect you with experts providing dedicated support and boundless productivity.

Phillips Federal has been associated with the United States Department of Defense (DoD) for over five decades offering its products and expertise in traditional and additive manufacturing technology. Its services include contracting & procurement, life-cycle solutions, project management, training and consulting, service and tech support, CNC manufacturing, and additive manufacturing, among many others. 

In the additive manufacturing segment, the DoD has been facing some challenges in adopting this fast-changing, new-age technology including adequate training for its engineers and capital investments in additive manufacturing equipment. 

Philips has been offering customizable training courses to DoD engineers, consulting services for improving processes, and unique funding options for different types of facilities.

Phillips and Bel Air Finishing 

Phillips Federal has added the post-processing technologies of Bel Air Finishing to its manufacturing programs at the Rock Island Arsenal. The partnership will install a completely operational cell to post-process all types of components manufactured using additive manufacturing. This will be used as a training facility for the US Army and private DoD contractors managing 3D printing anywhere in the world. This cell will include cleaning, polishing, surface grinding, automated build removal, and its own closed-loop water feed system.

Phillips Federal has partnered with Bel Air Finishing to offer mass finishing process technology to the US Defense Services. Bel Air Finishing offers expertise in three essential post-production processes:

• Tumbling;
• Deburring; and
• Polishing

Additionally, the company also offers end-to-end solutions including the cleaning and drying of parts and wastewater treatment.

By joining hands with Bel Air Finishing, Phillips Global has added the Bel Air Mass Finishing Technology to its basket of services offered to the DoD. Via the partnership, Phillips offers Bel Air supplies to boost the post-production process.

About Bel Air Finishing – 3D post-processing

Bel Air offers a range of equipment and supplies to meet specific finishing and post-processing needs. 

Equipment

The list of equipment includes:

• For build/support removal:
  • Water blasters
  • Washers/Dunkers
  • Chemical Tank
• For surface improvement of metal and plastic parts:
  • High-energy centrifugal finisher
  • Low-energy vibratory finisher
  • Dry electro-polish DLyte
• For cleaning, dyeing, and coating:
  • All-in-one cleaning and dyeing system
  • Spin coater
  • Ultrasonic cleaning, rinsing, and drying console
• Ball burnishers
• Centrifugal Barrel Finishers
• Centrifugal Disc Finishers
• Drag Finishers
• Electropolishers
• Magnetic Pin Finishers
• Tumblers
• Vibratory Bowls and Tubs
• Wastewater treatment systems

Supplies

The list of Bel Air Finishing Supply includes:

• Cleaning and Dye:
  • 3D extreme dyeing agent
  • Rapid resin cleanser
  • 3D support cleaner and eco-reclaim agent
• Surface finishing:
  • Tumbling media
  • Water Jet slurry media

Bel Air manufactures its own mass finishing equipment and also sources equipment from manufacturers around the globe to offer the best mass finishing product line to its customers. It prides on customizing the finishing process as per the unique needs of the customer and creating an integrated turnkey system.

Summing Up

While DoD is exploring the benefits of additive manufacturing, the inclusion of Bel Air Finishing will add the much-needed and oft-ignored element of post-processing to the additive manufacturing process.

Amongst the various CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining applications, CNC Milling is a machining process that makes use of computerised controls and multi-point rotating cutting tools that move across the surface of the workpiece to steadily and successively remove excess material and produce a pre-designed custom product or part. 

CNC Milling can be applied to a variety of materials, including wood, glass, plastic, resin, and metal. CNC precision machining services employ a variety of capabilities, such as chemical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical.

CNC Milling for the US Federal Government 

CNC Milling is capable of producing various types of manufacturing parts with high precision and is therefore used by the United States Federal Departments, especially the Department of Defense, for manufacturing various military and defence components. However, note that, for any part or product to be deemed fit for military or defence use, it has to meet a set of standards. 

The ‘Military Standards’ or MIL-STD or MIL-SPEC are a list of specific commercial and technical processes that need to be implemented in a consistent and undeviating manner to satisfy the multiple production and manufacturing standards set by the US Department of Defense.

Defence and Military Components Using CNC Precision Machining 

The precision of CNC Milling machines makes them ideal for producing a wide range of defence and military products and parts. Common components produced using CNC precision machines are:

1. Missile components
2. Naval ship components
3. Track hubs
4. Retainer rings
5. Transmission components
6. Aircraft components, including seat frames
7. Aerospace couplers
8. Helicopter components
9. Flanges
10. Clamshells

 Materials Used in CNC Milling for Manufacturing for the US Federal Departments 

1. Titanium
2. Nickel Alloys
3. Carbon Steel
4. Stainless Steel
5. Tool Steel
6. Hardened Steel
7. 6061 Aluminium
8. 7075 Aluminium
9. Waspaloy
10. Hastelloy
11. Inconel
12. Common Aluminium
13. Thermoplastic
14. Rubber
15. Brass
16. Graphite
17. Carbide
18. Composites

 CNC Milling Parts Providers for the US Federal Government 

There are multiple CNC technology providers across the US and globally that service the various CNC Milling needs of the US Federal government. For instance, Phillips Corporation, through its Phillips Federal division has been the single exclusive distributor of Haas Automation CNC machines, CNC training to the federal employees, consumables, and any other certified CNC services to the US Federal government for close to 25 years. 

Along with CNC machines, Phillips Federal’s CNC wing also offers expert, hands-on, on-premise, and customizable training modules for the US Federal employees to educate and familiarise them with the model, workings, and applications of CNC Milling machines. The training incorporates CNC controls, tools section, work holding, machine setup, automation, multi-axis programming, probing, and so on.

Additionally, the Phillips Federal Life Cycle team takes care of the CNC machines from the first setup, maintenance, repairs, replacements, etc., and serves as the one-point contact for all CNC machining needs after installation and training.

 Conclusion 

In the United States of America, CNC technology has and continues to shape and innovate the supply chain and manufacturing sectors. It drives the American economy and lays the foundation for sustainable processes that make the commerce and defence industry survive major slowdowns, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the convenience of a local distributor and the experience and vigor of an international organization, Phillips Federal offers the perfect partnership to the US Federal Government for its CNC Milling needs.

In 2021, the US Defense released its first-ever comprehensive Additive Manufacturing Strategy. This strategy offers a roadmap to fully integrate additive manufacturing and 3D printing systems in its acquisition and sustainment communities. The strategy outlines three key impact areas of additive manufacturing on the country’s defense and economic dominance:

• Modernizing the defense systems
• Boosting the speed of prototyping and producing direct parts, reducing the risk of obsolete hardware
• Enabling Warfighters using innovative solutions using additive manufacturing capabilities

Phillips is the exclusive and sole distributor of EOS additive manufacturing equipment and services to the United States Federal Government.

EOS Solutions

EOS Global offers manufacturing solutions using 3D printing machines and technology to various manufacturers. Its innovative products and practices, like the Industrial 3D Printer, coupled with its commitment to shaping the future of manufacturing, have established the brand as a trusted name in additive manufacturing in the world. EOS is the pioneer and innovator of various integrated solutions in additive manufacturing.

Benefits offered by Phillips via EOS to the US Defense 

• Over three decades of experience in Direct Metal laser Sintering and Selecting Laser Sintering – additive manufacturing techniques
• Most US Defense production tasks are repeatable making EOS the ideal partner
• Comprehensive quality control that ensures optimum production quality
• Detailed build documentation to boost system monitoring
• Laminar gas management. This helps ensure the ideal management of gas for different build conditions.
• High levels of accuracy and part strength
• More than two dozen validated materials and process parameters to offer the best-quality builds
• Recirculating filter system for longer filter life and lower operating costs as it removes condensate cake
• Nesting of multiple parts

Phillips also offers customized additive manufacturing (AM) solutions using EOS and AMCM M 1K laser(s) machines. 

Performance Assurance Program

To ensure that the Federal facilities make the optimum use of AM machines and mitigate any downtime, Phillips offers a Performance Assurance (PA) program. This is an extension of the preventive maintenance plan and goes beyond the standard routine maintenance. The US Defense facilities can customize the program based on their specific requirements and choose between one-time visits and dynamic contracts across facilities and the number of visits.

Training

Phillips Federal offers a range of courses in traditional and additive manufacturing areas. These courses are customizable allowing Defense personnel to select the course, topic, and subject areas as per the requirements of their facility. Phillips has also joined hands with EOS to deliver Additive Minds training to Federal users and consulting for EOS 3D Printing technology and machines.

The services offered by Phillips and EOS help build prototypes and manage series production. The team offers consulting and service, from designing the application to generating data and constructing parts and post-processing. EOS offers end-to-end manufacturing solutions for the entire industrial value chain.

Summing Up

Phillips has been associated with the US Department of Defense for over 50 years providing manufacturing technology expertise and products. The company has also entered into an agreement with the US Army’s Rock Island CoE for manufacturing unique parts using additive technology applications and processes. 

Additive technology or 3D printing, though has been in application for a while now, has brought in a process revolution in the manufacturing sectors across the world. 

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing involves producing or constructing a three-dimensional product using a slew of materials (metal, resin, plastic, thermoplastic, ceramic, fiber, etc.) by printing layers upon layers of the material.

It uses a computer-based digital model, which is first created virtually. Subsequently, the additive manufacturing machine (various types in these as well) uses the virtual design and inputted specs as a guideline to print a 3D prototype or a working model. 

Additive Manufacturing Training Program for the US Federal Employees 

In the United States of America, the Department of Defense has been paving the way for the incorporation and successful implementation of additive manufacturing capabilities in its production processes. With the first-ever Additive Manufacturing Strategy, the DOD is setting up sustainable and quality additive manufacturing technologies and digital manufacturing processes.

One of the key partners of the US Department of Defense in its additive manufacturing journey has been the Phillips Corporation. Through a dedicated Federal division, Phillips has partnered with the United States government to provide additive manufacturing capabilities to the various federal departments, including the Department of Defense, and solve all manufacturing roadblocks for the US Government. 

And one of the ways they have been successful is through the Phillips Federal Division’s Additive Manufacturing Training. Partnering with EOS North America, Phillips Corporation is offering ‘Additive Minds’ – the only Additive Minds Certified Trainers in North America – to offer advanced consulting and training for Federal employees.

Being a new as well as rapidly evolving technology, additive manufacturing requires proper and in-depth training of human resources to ensure successful and efficient implementation of the 3D printing capabilities. Phillips offers a wide range of interactive, practical, and experiential training courses that can be customized to meet the unique needs of the manufacturing unit.

Tim McClanahan, Business Development Manager at the Phillips Federal division says, “We don’t ask you to come to a facility and learn on a ‘similar’ machine. We teach you how to produce your parts on your machine in your facility. We believe that’s how people learn.”

Features of Phillips Federal Division’s Additive Training for US Federal Employees 

The Additive Manufacturing Training by Phillips Federal Division offers the following benefits to US Federal employees:

1. Customized and uniquely designed training program at the actual manufacturing facility by experts in the niche manufacturing processes.
2. The hands-on training approach improves resource proficiency as well as process efficiency.
3. The trainers have worked at critical levels of manufacturing processes, including shop managers, additive consultants, and applications engineers, and thus have an expert command over all additive manufacturing machinery.
4. The training program can be tailor-made to suit the team’s proficiency – beginner to expert.
5. With on-site training, the training experts ensure that the program is customized to the facility’s specific product, manufacturing process, and challenges.
6. The Phillips Federal support extends beyond the training program. They provide knowledge support, materials, additive machines, and maintenance.

There are three types of training provided by Phillips Federal:

1. Software Training – Educate federal employees about the various software programs used in additive manufacturing
2. Applications Training – Train federal employees about the various uses and applications of additive manufacturing
3. Consulting Packages – Discuss with our experts the various ways in which you can optimize and better your processes

Additive manufacturing offers a variety of advantages, including higher process efficiency, affordability, speed, lower wastage, energy efficiency, elimination of costs on warehousing, and so on. It has the capability to create groundbreaking innovations and completely revolutionize the global manufacturing sector. However, it is imperative to have the proper knowledge of the processes and the applications to derive maximum benefit from them.

The Additive Manufacturing Training for US Federal employees by Phillips Federal seeks to achieve just that.

The Aerospace Industry was one of the early adopters of 3D printing systems and still is a major contributor to its development. The industry started using 3D printing in 1989 and has been leveraging the benefits of stronger and lighter parts created using additive manufacturing methodologies.

 3D Printing in the Aerospace Design Workflow 

The aerospace industry can benefit from a 3D printing machine at all stages of the design workflow as described below:

1. Accurate models

In the aerospace industry, most designs begin as concept models that highlight a specific component of a spacecraft. These models also help in aerodynamic testing – an important aspect of the industry. Usually, engineers use Stereolithography and Material Jetting to create scale models that are highly detailed and smooth. These models allow them to showcase the concept clearly.

2. Prototype Validation

A 3D printing machine allows engineers to test and validate the performance of the prototype in a low-cost and time-efficient manner.

3. Production

Traditionally, 3D printing had restrictions on the speed and volumes of parts that can be manufactured. The aerospace industry usually has production volumes of thousands of parts per year. Hence, 3D printing systems were used only for prototypes and not for the manufacture of the final parts. However, in recent years, with the increase in the size of industrial 3D printers, medium-sized batches can be produced with ease using 3D printing. 

4. Customization

3D printing allows the customization of parts based on the type of aircraft. Engineers can also opt for part consolidation and topology optimization of aerospace components.

Benefits of 3D Printing in Aerospace Manufacturing

Right from manufacturing jigs and fixtures, surrogates, mounting brackets, and high-detail visual prototypes, 3D printing is used extensively in aerospace manufacturing processes. Here are some benefits offered by 3D printing:

1. Design freedom

In the aerospace industry, engineers constantly try to use complex geometries and engineering materials that can boost the performance of the application. 3D printing allows them to manufacture complex parts that are extremely light in weight and highly stable. This offers a level of design freedom that can help them focus on optimization and not the manufacturing process.

2. Consolidation

3D printing allows engineers to consolidate multiple parts into one component while boosting efficiency. This reduces the overall weight and reduces costs.

3. Finishing

In the aerospace industry, the finishing of individual parts is highly critical. 3D printing has the capability to offer parts with a very high surface finish. While some 3D printing technologies like Material Jetting can produce a smooth finish with minor post-production, other technologies can be used with CNC machines to achieve an optimum finish.

Many providers offer 3D Additive Manufacturing Defence and Aerospace services and Additive Hybrids to produce and finish the part in a single machine. For example, EOS 3D Printing is used extensively by aerospace engineers. 

4. Orientation of parts

For load-bearing parts, it is important to pay attention to the orientation of parts in the build platform. Some materials have anisotropic mechanical properties making them weaker in some directions. 3D printing allows engineers to focus on this during the design process.

Final Words

For over 50 years, Phillips has been associated with the US Department of Defense, offering manufacturing technology products and expertise. We are the sole and exclusive distributor of EOS additive manufacturing services, technology, and equipment to the United States Federal Government. 

At Phillips, we offer EOS additive manufacturing equipment and a range of solutions and services to the aerospace industry. With high levels of precision and cost-efficiency, 3D printing is evolving into an essential alternative manufacturing method for the aerospace industry.