ASTRO America and Florida State College’s Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Analysis & Training (InSPIRE) have introduced the second instalment of its nationwide 3D Printing Tech Problem.
The companions launched the second instalment of the problem on the Protection Methods Institute’s Navy Additive Manufacturing (MILAM) Summit and are now inviting members to submit purposes.
This 12 months, the competitors will concentrate on distortion prediction & compensation in laser powder mattress fusion with Inconel 718. That is thought-about a vital problem going through precision elements manufacturing in aerospace and defence.
The problem invitations members to foretell the as-built distortion of a fancy Inconel 718 geometry and suggest a compensated mannequin utilizing a calibration construct of their selection. Finalists may have the chance to exhibit their options on industrial-scale methods and current to a panel of main evaluators from the defence, aerospace, and funding communities.
“The aim is to speed up adoption of modelling instruments that make steel additive manufacturing extra predictable, cost-effective, and production-ready,” mentioned Dr. Abdalla Nassar, Vice President and Basic Supervisor, ASTRO South. “This competitors straight helps the nationwide crucial to scale additive manufacturing capabilities, and we’re excited to supply members the chance to benchmark their options in a real-world setting utilizing elements of curiosity to the aerospace and defence neighborhood.”
“We’re proud to associate with ASTRO America,” mentioned Drew Allen, Govt Director, FSU InSPIRE. “These challenges are key to fostering a collaborative setting that actively bridges the hole between improvement and manufacturing; we’re nurturing an evolutionary ecosystem to quickly advance know-how into product options.”
Final 12 months’s competitors centered on Actionable In-Situ Consciousness and recognised Additive Assurance and Addiguru as high performers, spotlighting real-world options for high quality management in steel AM.
Key Dates:
- RFP Deadline: March 9, 2026
- Participant Choice: March 13, 2026
- Analysis Interval: March 16 – June 30, 2026
- Tech Showcase & Winner Announcement: July/August 2026
Evaluations will probably be primarily based on standards resembling:
- Accuracy and repeatability
- Calibration strategies and requirements
- Worth vs. value of possession
- Performance and ease of use
- Enterprise technique and market potential
- General technical impression
Chosen members will probably be awarded $1,000 to offset participation and journey prices. At the very least one license buy of the profitable software program is anticipated. The winner may also be invited to extra engagements, together with one-on-one discussions with trade companions and potential buyers.
Ultimate outcomes will probably be offered throughout an invitation-only showcase occasion happening in July/August in North West Florida.