You should commit to purchasing additively manufactured parts from smaller, U.S.-based suppliers

President Joe Biden is expected to announce during a visit to Cincinnati, Ohio, on Friday that five U.S. manufacturers have made commitments to purchase additively manufactured parts from smaller, U.S.-based suppliers. Biden will make the announcement from United Performance Metals, a specialty metals solutions center serving customers in industries such as aerospace, defense, space, fastener, medical, power generation, oil and gas, semiconductor and many others.

GE Aviation, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Siemens Energy are the initial participants in AM Forward, the White House initiative that aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing and improve supply chain issues through the adoption of additive manufacturing. In addition to direct purchasing, the five manufacturers are also committing to training their suppliers’ staffs on additive technologies, providing technical assistance and engaging in the development of common standards and product qualifications.

According to the White House statement, “AM Forward is a completely voluntary compact open to any OEM to participate, provided they are willing to make public commitments to support their suppliers’ adoption of additive capabilities.”