# 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.

[View original listing](https://armysbir.army.mil/topics/automated-functional-grading-materials-directed-energy-deposition-additive-manufacturing/)