White House backs additive manufacturing to build up supply chain resilience

WASHINGTON—President Biden has launched AM Forward, a voluntary compact among large manufacturers to help smaller, U.S.-based suppliers increase their use of 3D printing.

According to a May 6 White House briefing, additive manufacturing offers multiple advantages over conventional manufacturing methods, like reductions in lead times for parts, including parts using polyurethane materials, and reduced dependence on imports.

However, 3D printers represent a significant investment, and manufacturers may struggle to find the finance they require because of the novelty of the technique and the fact that demand is not clear.

The AM Forward initiative will build on "key administration goals," according to the White House, like building up more resilient and innovative supply chain by investing in small- and medium-sized companies, growing industries through the adoption of new technologies, and investing and making more in America through regional manufacturing ecosystems.

To further this initiative, the administration is calling on Congress to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act, "which establishes a Supply Chain Office at the Department of Commerce, supports foundational technologies such as additive manufacturing, and invests in regional tech hubs as well as increasing funding for Manufacturing USA Institutes and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership," the White House said.

BIA will bring new technologies like additive manufacturing to entrepreneurs and companies across the country, the Biden administration said, which will raise productivity and supply chain resilience in the U.S.

AM Forward is open to any OEM to participate, "provided they are willing to make public commitments to support their suppliers' adoption of additive capabilities."

AM Forward includes leading OEMs such as GE Aviation, Honeywell International Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Raytheon Technologies Corp. and Siemens Energy A.G..

These OEMs will work directly with U.S.-based suppliers to demonstrate clear demand for parts made via additive manufacturing, according to the White House. They have also committed to providing technical assistance and worker training and will work together to develop standards.

AM Forward will be supported by the non-profit Applied Science & Technology Research Organization in addition to "a range of federal programs that U.S. SME manufacturers can use to support their adoption of additive capabilities and increase their competitiveness."

"Keeping pace with technological change should not be the capability of a few, or an over-the-horizon goal, out of reach for most of our manufacturing base," the White House said. "It should be a pillar of American industrial competitiveness—something that is broadly deployed and available to small and large companies alike."

Urethanes Technology International contributed to this report.