The adoption of Additive Manufacturing (AM) in defense supply chains is hindered by inconsistent certification methods, intellectual property concerns, and challenges in secure cross-border data transfer. Current qualification approaches are typically defined by individual OEMs or AM manufacturers, with no unified standard enabling interoperability between allied nations. This project addresses these gaps by implementing a standardized framework for Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ) on the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) process.

Led by Eaton Corporation in partnership with EOS, Material Solutions Limited (UK), and 3Degrees, the effort establishes machine-material equivalency between two platforms located in the United States and the United Kingdom. This program aims to demonstrate a scalable pathway for cross-continental AM supply chain integration between U.S. DoD and U.K. MoD stakeholders.