Lockheed Martin Partners With Sintavia to Advance Metal AM

Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Sintavia LLC, are collaborating to expand research of metal additive manufacturing (AM) opportunities as an alternative to castings and forgings. According to the partners, AM has the capability to improve efficiencies in existing castings and forgings supply chains, as well as provide parts with a higher level of detail and greater design opportunities.

Sintavia is an AM supplier to Lockheed Martin, supporting several programs in the manufacture and production of metal additive parts. The new collaboration will explore additional AM technology areas, including laser powder bed fusion, electron beam-directed energy deposition and friction stir AM.

This enhanced relationship is said to build on the White House initiative “AM Forward,” announced by President Joe Biden in May, a voluntary compact aimed at strengthening U.S. supply chains by supporting U.S.-based suppliers’ adoption and deployment of AM.

“Sintavia and Lockheed Martin are committed to improving the capability, agility and competitiveness of the defense industrial supply base,” Brian Neff, Sintavia’s founder and CEO says. “Our partnership with Lockheed Martin seeks to identify and streamline manufacturing inefficiencies, specifically in the production of flight critical structures.”

David Tatro, vice president for operations process transformation at Lockheed Martin, says, “Lockheed Martin’s collaboration with Sintavia demonstrates our dedication to the White House’s AM Forward campaign in reducing overall operating costs and strengthening our domestic supply chain.”