Man typing on the computer with data coming out of the screen

Advancing a 3D printing program to support Army readiness

Key takeaways

To support tactical and operational readiness, the U.S. Army Materiel Command’s (AMC’s) Additive Manufacturing Digital Thread (AMDT) program enables 3D printing of critical parts on or near the battlefield. Maximus helped fully realize the capability of the program by leveraging technology solution expertise and a data system user interface to manage printed parts and the data sets needed to replicate parts.

Situation

3D printing offers a cutting-edge method for creating or repairing equipment in military environments. AMC’s AMDT program, part of its Logistics and Modernization Program (LMP), enables users to retrieve the data needed to print parts for hand-off to the Army unit that needs it. The system also enables sharing of data and events associated with the life of a part, known as its “digital thread,” such as print date and use.

Challenge

To fully realize the capability of AMDT, the AMC needed technology solutions and expertise to successfully deploy the datasets necessary to print various parts and manage their digital threads.

Solution

Maximus joined a team of expert partners to support several functions critical for optimized program capabilities, including:

Optimization of processes for submitting candidate parts for 3D printing
Designation of authorized user classifications within the Army enterprise for system access control and security
Certification and standardization of all 3D-printed parts and materials
Protection of a parts repository to meet the LMP systems, application, and products (SAP) required security standards
Understanding of potential future development requirements, including cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities

Development and delivery of materiel readiness solutions.

Army's Additive Manufacturing Digital Thread Program graphic showing 3 branches. 3D Printing of Critical Parts on or Near the Battlefield. System Interface to Manage Data & Printed Parts Inventory. Secure System Access and Authorized User Designations.

How We Did It

As a trusted Army partner with a proven track record, the Maximus team helped provide secure AMDT capability access to key Army stakeholders and field staff worldwide by:

Migrating the legacy 3D printing library to a secure SAP system for cataloguing, storing, and certifying data and 3D-printed parts
Adding risk attributes and back-end security for secure downloads only to authorized users
Establishing Development Command team approval and notification steps in the data request process
Documenting current and future solution states with change requirements tracking
Developing web-based end-user training and materials for the Army Learning Management System with continuous improvement monitoring

Results

Delivered first SAP, web-based LMP system user interface for ease of use and controlled system access to authorized users
Enabled 3D printing data access to other military branches
Enabled searching of existing records and recording of printed parts and serialization
Provided ability for soldiers to access data to 3D print critical parts on demand, anywhere in the world
Addressed supply chain delays by enabling printing of parts to replace critical stock items

Maximus enabled the Army Materiel Command to optimize the capabilities of its 3D printing program to support materiel readiness worldwide.

Interested in learning how Maximus can optimize capabilities to support military readiness?