​Did you know that the Department of Defense (DoD) has a robust and active team focused on maintenance, supply chain management, logistics and product support aspects of Additive Manufacturing? If not, check out the multi-service, multi-agency, multi-organizational Additive Manufacturing for Maintenance Operations (AMMO) web site for additional information. 

According to the website, the very active AMMO Working Group "is chartered to develop an integrated DoD strategic vision and facilitate collaborative tactical implementation of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology in support of DoD's global weapon system maintenance enterprise.  The AMMO WG activity will include development of OSD guidance recommendations, selection and prioritization of opportunities to employ AM technology, coordination and standardization of AM activities into established DoD maintenance processes and procedures, and preparation and maintenance of the AMMO Roadmap.

AM technology is an evolutionary development of historical Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology. While CNC removes unwanted material, AM adds material to create a finished product. AM is often called "3D Printing" and includes various processes used to create a three-dimensional object by layering material under computer control. The capability to robotically fabricate high quality metal parts dramatically expanded the practical application of AM technology, and industry has been quick to capitalize on the technology's potential. In recent years, DoD's maintenance activities, particularly its maintenance depots, have been working to complement current CNC capabilities with new AM capabilities."