SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Tucker Innovations has jointly developed a robot metal additive path planning software called SculptPrint RAM with its partners Lincoln Electric and Wolf Robotics. An industrial robot with an arc welding end effector is transformed into a metal 3D printer through immersive 3D software for path planning. SculptPrint RAM path planning software allows a minimally trained user to produce a tool path for 3d printing a part design. The robot executes the 3d printing path in a semi-autonomous fashion. The phase I project will identify a steel or stainless steel tool needed for maintenance operations at Robins AFB and attempt to print this part using the robot metal additive process. The strategy for first deployment will be via supplying Air Force depots with steel tooling for maintenance activities with second deployment to general airframe parts once the processes can achieve certification of airworthiness.
