Technology
Leading Innovations For Tomorrow
Developing new manufacturing processes and new systems including new and innovative processes in an effort to drive smarter manufacturing into the industry and helping manufacturers carry their concepts from design, through optimization, to commercialization.
The LIFT Journey
LIFT moves emerging materials and processing technologies across the "valley of death" from advanced concepts to commercialization, utilizing the digital thread and digital twin, so they can be adopted by industry and the warfighter faster.
Basic Manufacturing Implications Identified
Manufacturing Concepts Identified
Manufacturing Proof of Concept Developed
Ability To Produce Prototype Component In A Lab Environment
Ability To Produce Prototype Components In A Production Relevant Environment
Ability To Produce Prototype System In A Production Relevant Environment
Ability To Produce Systems, Subsystems, Or Components In A Production Representative Environment
Pilot Line Capability Demonstrated; Ready To Begin Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP)
Low Rate Production Demonstrated; Ability To Begin Full Rate Production (Frp)
Full Rate Production Demonstrated And Lean Production Practices In Place
Technology Pillars
Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) and Computational Engineering
- ICME/Laboratory Materials Characterization
- ICME Material Model Development Licensing
- ICME Education
- CAD/CAE/CAM Industry Projects
Advanced Alloy and Process Development
- Lightweight Armor Development
- Rare Earth Materials Process Optimization
- Hypersonic Materials Development
- Agile Tooling
- Supply base development to accelerate manufacturing readiness (MRL)
Agile and Smarter Manufacturing
- Digital Thread & Digital Twin Demonstration and Education
- Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)
- Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing
- Incremental Sheet-forming (Robotic Blacksmithing)
- Quality & ND Inspection of Additive Parts
Multi-Material Joining
- Advanced Metallic Welding Process Development (GMAW, Friction-Stir, Linear Friction)
- Metallic/Non-Metallic Joining
- Quality & Inspection
- Advanced Joining Education
Technology Resources
LIFT Equipment
Digital Twin Smart Factory Showcase
EOS M 290 Industrial Metal 3D Printer
Linear Friction Welder
Hot Isostatic Press
Connected Digital Thread
Extrusion Press
Hydroforming Press
Siemens Controls
Flexible Robotic Joining System
Plasmatreat Cell
Additive Manufacturing
CNC Mill
Fully Equipped Machine Shop
Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Cell
CNC Lathe
Fully Equipped Metrology Lab
Incremental Sheet Forming Cell
CT Scanner
LIFT Activities
Technology Accelerator
Program Management
Contract Research and Development
Technology Transfer
Knowledge Library
Reverse Engineering
Technology Roadmapping
Start-up Support
Physical and Virtual Try-out
Additive Manufacturing
Spin-off Support
Metrology Services
Portfolio Management
Rapid Prototyping
LIFT Technology Ecosystem
