Working in the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), MTI will be conducting research to develop a highly accurate fabrication process for small balances that measure aerodynamic forces and moments on wind tunnel models. The goal is to use direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) to manufacture balances with internal features, such as channels for cooling or for wire routing. Stainless steel 15-5 is the alloy to be used in the research.
Morris Technologies was first to introduce DMLS to the United States in 2003 and has since maintained its status as the global leader in additive metal manufacturing.
Lloyd Fields, VP of the federal business unit at Morris Technologies, believes this SBIR is a perfect fit for MTI's capabilities. "In addition to our expertise in DMLS, Morris Technologies employs a full-time R&D staff that includes a metallurgist," Fields said. "We are ideally positioned to conduct research on this level and achieve the desired results."
The project is expected to take around nine months to complete.