New York, NY – October 1, 2023 – Senvol has been selected to lead a program focused on demonstrating a machine learning approach to additive manufacturing process qualification.
The work will be done as part of a contract that Senvol had been awarded by America Makes, the national additive manufacturing institute, and funded by the U.S. Air Force, to apply its machine learning software, Senvol ML, to enable effective additive manufacturing (AM) process qualification/re-qualification.
Senvol’s partners on the program include Boeing, the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University, Battelle, ATI Inc., Element Materials Technology, 3Degrees, Pilgrim Consulting, and AoZora Additive.
As part of the program, Senvol will demonstrate a novel approach to a delta qualification for AM that leverages machine learning. A machine learning approach is extremely flexible and able to handle any change to the AM process, which makes this approach ideal for sustainment in the long-term. The program will demonstrate the approach using a Ti-6Al-4V grade 5 material processed via a laser powder bed fusion AM machine.
“The primary objective of this program is to demonstrate a novel approach, using machine learning, to rapidly and affordably update and/or establish a qualified AM process which can allow for changes in key AM process variables – namely, the use of a new AM machine of a different make or model,” said Dr. Brandon Ribic, America Makes Technology Director. “By demonstrating a novel approach, we hope to accelerate and reduce the cost of establishing equivalence to the baseline material.”
The Senvol ML software supports the qualification of AM processes and will be used in the program to develop statistically substantiated material properties analogous to material allowables. Furthermore, it will do so while simultaneously optimizing data generation requirements. Important to note is that the software is flexible and can be applied to any AM process, any AM machine, and any AM material.
Senvol President Zach Simkin comments, “Senvol will implement data-driven machine learning technology that has the potential to substantially reduce the cost of process qualification and re-qualification. By demonstrating a novel approach, Senvol aims to drive tremendous value for the U.S. Air Force, the America Makes membership, and the additive manufacturing industry at large.”
Simkin continues, “This program will build on the success of several prior programs that we have led in this area. We are pleased to continue to utilize our machine learning capabilities to address this critical need for the industry and are thrilled to work with such an accomplished team on this program.”
Dr. William E. Frazier, retired Chief Scientist for Air Vehicle Engineer at NAVAIR / The Navy Senior Scientist for Material Engineering, and currently President of Pilgrim Consulting LLC, adds, “I am very pleased to join Senvol’s team for this program. Senvol’s machine learning-enabled approach directly addresses a major industry challenge: the rapid and cost-effective ability to qualify an additive manufacturing process. I have been involved with the qualification of several additive manufacturing processes and materials for flight, and in my opinion, the further development of this technology will have a positive impact on the cost, schedule, and performance of both DoD and commercial platforms.”
Users of the Senvol ML software include organizations in aerospace, defense, oil & gas, consumer products, medical, and automotive industries, as well as AM machine manufacturers and AM material suppliers.
The results from this America Makes program will be available to the America Makes membership as well as to the U.S. Government.
To request a demo of the Senvol ML software, contact Senvol at info@senvol.com for more details.
To learn more about Senvol ML, Senvol’s data-driven machine learning software for AM, click here.
To view more Senvol news stories, click here.
About America Makes
America Makes is the nation’s leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing (AM) technology and education. America Makes members from industry, academia, government, workforce and economic development organizations, work together to accelerate the adoption of AM and the nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness. Founded in 2012 as the Department of Defense’s national manufacturing innovation institute for AM and first of the Manufacturing USA network, America Makes is based in Youngstown, Ohio and managed by the not-for-profit National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM). Visit americamakes.us to learn more.