Senvol Developing Additive Manufacturing Software for Office of Naval Research

Senvol is known for helping companies to implement additive manufacturing through its virtual resources: the Senvol Indexes, the Senvol API and the Senvol Database. Now it is working to develop data-driven machine learning additive manufacturing software for the US Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR). The software will analyze the relationships between additive manufacturing process parameters and material performance. ONR plans to use the software to assist in developing statistically substantiated material properties in hopes of reducing conventional material characterization and testing that is needed to develop design allowables.

“We are very excited about our work with the Navy’s Office of Naval Research,” said Senvol President Annie Wang. “Our software’s capabilities will allow ONR to select the appropriate process parameters on a particular additive manufacturing machine given a target mechanical performance.  This presents a unique opportunity to reduce the high level of trial and error that is currently required, which would save a tremendous amount of time and money.

In addition to our machine learning capabilities, we have also developed a computer vision algorithm that analyzes, in real-time, in-situ monitoring data. This enables us to detect irregularities in real-time and begin to quantify the relationships between irregularities in the build and the resulting mechanical performance.”

Senvol’s software is built on a modularized integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) probabilistic framework for additive manufacturing data. Within that framework, additive manufacturing data is categorized into four modules: process parameters, process signatures, material properties and mechanical performance. The software is powered by an algorithm that quantifies the relationships between the four modules; the algorithm is additive manufacturing material, machine and process agnostic.

The Office of Naval Research has been heavily involved in additive manufacturing for the past few years, working to develop the technology for the production of metal components. A lot of progress has been made, with parts being 3D printed at sea and even major structural components, like a submarine hull, being produced using the technology. While the entire US military has been exploring 3D printing to an advanced degree, the Navy has been one of the most active branches. Senvol’s software will enable the ONR to further advance its research and streamline its work with the technology.

The software is being funded through Navy Phase II STTR N16A-002. It is still under development, but it will be made available to any company looking to qualify its additively manufactured parts. If your company would like to possibly obtain beta access to the software, you can contact Senvol at info@senvol.com.

If you’re interested in learning more about the software under development, Senvol will be presenting its work at several upcoming conferences, including  AMUG (April 8-12), RAPID + TCT (April 23-26), and CAASE18 (June 5-7).

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