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As standards for parts made from metal additive manufacturing (3D printing) are prepared for the first time in Korea in the defense sector, anyone can procure them, which is expected to revitalize the lamination manufacturing business.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Minister Sung Yoon-mo) and the Ministry of National Defense (Minister Jeong Kyung-doo) announced on the 27th that they have prepared defense standards for metal parts manufactured through 3D printing through cooperation between ministries.
The Ministry of National Defense signed a "business agreement for manufacturing cooperation between the defense and the 3D printing industry" in December 2017 to overcome the continued increase in discontinuation or procurement parts due to aging weapons. Since then, it has been examining the possibility of applying 3D printing by finding parts for discontinuation, small amounts of multiple varieties, and difficulties in procurement for land, sea, and air force maintenance windows.
As a result, the two organizations will select "Housing, Control Pan," an important part that is installed inside the balcan to protect wiring and electronic components, and prepare defense standards. This part has been produced by casting aluminum alloys, but there are no domestic producers, so it was difficult to secure it if it broke down. In particular, even if it was manufactured the same with 3D printing technology, there was no standard for quality certification, so it was difficult to actually use it, so national defense standards were essential to prepare 3D printing production parts in the military.
The Ministry of Industry produced a prototype of "housing control fan" with metal 3D printing technology through the Korea Institute of Production Technology's 3D printing manufacturing innovation center in Siheung, Gyeonggi-do, and the Ministry of National Defense prepared defense standards after about six months of on-site evaluation and review.
With the establishment of defense standards specifying the quality and manufacturing method of military supplies under the Defense Acquisition Program Act, anyone can produce and provide these parts if they meet the standards for 3D printing manufacturing methods and quality under the Housing Control Fan standard. Through this, it is expected that domestic 3D printing companies and defense companies will participate in new projects as well as supply and demand of discontinued defense products in a timely manner.
Starting with this cooperation, the two ministries plan to expand cooperation to spread 3D printing technology that contributes to stable supply of defense parts and reduction of defense budget.
Choi Nam-ho, a manufacturing industry policy officer at the Ministry of Industry, said, "We highly appreciate the fact that we have proven the performance and quality of domestic parts by 3D printing," adding, "We will actively support the rapid spread of 3D printing technology to private sectors such as shipbuilding and aviation."
"The Army has created a foundation for commercializing defense products by reflecting the standards of 3D printing manufacturing, said Kang Chang-ho, head of the Army's military investigation equipment maintenance department, who led the demonstration and standardization of defense products."
