What is Additive Manufacturing Forward?

AM Forward is a federal program that was launched on May 6, 2022. As described by an official statement from the White House, AM Forward is “a voluntary compact between large, iconic manufacturers and their smaller U.S.-based suppliers.” Currently, the program has five large manufacturers as its initial participants. Each of these large manufacturers will provide support for their smaller, domestically-based suppliers in the U.S., assisting in their adoption of additive manufacturing.

Large Manufacturer Participants in AM Forward

The initial participants in AM Forward are five large manufacturers — GE Aviation, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Siemens Energy — as well as their network of domestic, U.S.-based suppliers, which are small to medium-sized manufacturers. Assisted by these five large manufacturers, the primary recipients of additive manufacturing technology will be their vast network of domestic U.S. suppliers, which are small to medium-sized businesses. The five large manufacturers rely upon these domestic suppliers for many of their critical supply chain activities. Additionally, the Applied Science & Technology Research Organization of America (ASTRO America) will be advising the program on technology, standards, and will ultimately serve as the program coordinator. Due to each large manufacturer’s breadth of activities and needs for AM-specific applications, many different types of AM equipment are likely to be utilized in the program. The White House’s announcement of AM Forward states that any OEM can participate. Participation is voluntary, but requires a public commitment to support the adoption of industrial 3D printing for their suppliers.

How Can I Get Involved?

We highly recommend signing up for updates at the ASTRO/AM Forward Website. If you are a potential or current supplier for one of the five partner businesses (GE Aviation, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Siemens Energy), there is a substantial chance that ASTRO will be getting in touch with you. Additionally, the success of this intiniative’s first year will dictate adoption across additional OEMs and supplier networks. In any case, it doesn’t hurt to write a letter to your representatives and senators voicing your support for AM Forward!