Opportunity
SBIR / STTR #A244-043
Phase I software development for DED functionally graded metals
Buyer
AFC
Posted
June 26, 2024
Respond By
July 30, 2024
Identifier
A244-043
NAICS
541715, 541511
Army Futures Command is seeking Phase I research and development of software for directed energy deposition of functionally graded metals. - Government buyer: U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC); the Army is the intended recipient of the test coupon and will conduct independent testing. - Request: Develop proof-of-concept software that generates directed energy deposition (DED) tool paths for functionally graded metal materials, accepting user-defined composition gradients, including nonlinear gradients, and supporting multiple materials. - Phase I demonstration: Print a single-layer transition between two metals, produce a test coupon, and characterize its deposited chemistry against the intended composition. - Deliverables: Final report and compositional-gradient test coupon for delivery to the Army. No commercial OEM or vendor is identified as a requested supplier. - Potential Phase II expansion: Extend grading to as many as four metals; produce at least three coupons with gradients in different orientations; demonstrate a CAD-designed part; characterize the materials; and provide an executable software copy. - Named software examples: ThermoCalc, Pandat, and OpenCalphad are referenced as existing CALPHAD software examples, not as requested vendors.
Description
The Army SBIR/STTR Phase I topic seeks proof-of-concept software that generates tool paths for depositing functionally graded metals and metal alloys using directed energy deposition additive manufacturing. The software must accept user-defined gradients, including nonlinear gradients, and demonstrate a single-layer composition gradient from 100% of one metal to 100% of another, at least to printer resolution. The work includes printing a test coupon, characterizing its gradient chemistry, and comparing the measured chemistry with the intended composition. Deliverables are a final report and a test coupon for delivery to the Army for independent testing.