Key Takeaways
- Stratasys receives $7.8 million in funding from America Makes and the Department of War for additive quality assurance development
- The 24-month project aims to create on-site quality assurance capabilities for Stratasys' F3300 and F900 industrial FDM platforms
- The goal is to enable real-time process data generation, reducing reliance on post-build inspection and qualification
- The project addresses a key barrier to additive manufacturing adoption: efficient and consistent part quality verification
Introduction to Additive Quality Assurance
Stratasys Ltd. has been awarded significant funding to advance additive manufacturing technologies, specifically focusing on quality assurance. The $7.8 million grant from America Makes and the Department of War will support the development of on-site quality assurance capabilities for Stratasys' F3300 and F900 industrial FDM platforms. This 24-month project aims to generate real-time process data, enabling manufacturers to scale additive manufacturing production while reducing inspection burdens.
America Makes and the OIB Modernization Challenge
America Makes, a public-private partnership, brings together industry, government, and academia to accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. The 2026 OIB Modernization Challenge supports projects that advance manufacturing capabilities critical to industrial production, resilient supply chains, and the defense industrial base. The challenge focuses on addressing key barriers to additive manufacturing adoption, including the need for efficient and consistent part quality verification.
In-Situ Quality Assurance
The project will develop advanced monitoring capabilities for the F3300 and F900 platforms, providing greater visibility into the additive manufacturing process. This will enable manufacturers to capture quality data during the build process, reducing the need for extensive post-print inspection and qualification. The resulting capabilities will support manufacturers across various industries, including defense, aerospace, and commercial aviation, where traceability, process control, and part qualification are critical requirements.
Comparison of Additive Manufacturing Technologies
| Technology | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) | Layer-by-layer deposition of melted plastic | High accuracy, low cost, versatile materials |
| SLA (Stereolithography) | Laser curing of liquid resin | High resolution, smooth finish, limited material options |
| SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) | Laser sintering of powdered material | High strength, durable, limited material options |
Benefits and Applications
The project's outcomes are expected to support manufacturers in various industries, including:
- Defense: expanding additive production capacity with greater confidence
- Aerospace: clearer pathway to scale production while reducing inspection costs and complexity
- Commercial aviation: reduced inspection burdens and qualification cycles
Bottom Line
Stratasys' receipt of $7.8 million in funding from America Makes and the Department of War marks a significant step forward in advancing additive manufacturing technologies. The development of on-site quality assurance capabilities for the F3300 and F900 industrial FDM platforms will enable manufacturers to generate real-time process data, reducing reliance on costly post-build inspection and qualification. This project addresses a key barrier to additive manufacturing adoption, paving the way for increased adoption across various industries. With the potential to support manufacturers in defense, aerospace, and commercial aviation, this project is expected to have a lasting impact on the future of additive manufacturing.