Open Access Conference Proceedings

<div>Additive manufacturing and 3D printing is one of the most rapidly evolving industry branches nowadays. This technology brings possibility of creating new designs and materials which military industry could adopt with its benefits. 3D printing based on stereolithography method was invented in 1980s. In recent times it became more and more popular and affordable what powered up a development of these technologies and spread them into public environment. Making these technologies affordable contributed to creation of a large base of informed and experienced worker’s. Additive technologies are also widely studied in many educational and scientific institutions. In this paper the impact and possibilities of use additive manufacturing in military industry mainly in terms of application of 3D printing in production of weapons and ammunition will be described. Technologies of 3D printing were listed according to normalization. Technological advancements in terms of printing methods and materials were studied. Prediction of possible usage was researched based on material studies and previous scientific papers aiming for different types of materials used in military industry like metals, composites, plastics, and explosives. Requirements on additive manufacturing technologies were defined for different types of production. Operational benefits for armed forces were also studied and finally challenges for future development of additive manufacturing in military industry were set.</div>

Keywords: additive manufacturing, military industry, materials, explosives

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