Greetings from ASTRO!
In today’s issue:
- ASTRO America Releases Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study for Guam Economic Development Authority
- 3DPrint: Additive Manufacturing in Guam – A Path to Economic Diversity for the Island
- ASTRO America is Going to RAPID!!
- ASTRO to Host Guam Additive Manufacturing (AM) Roundtable at RAPID
- ASTRO’s Neal Orringer to Speak at AMGTA Annual Summit in Chicago
- Guam Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero Coming to DC
ASTRO America Releases Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study for Guam Economic Development Authority
This week, ASTRO released a Guam Additive Manufacturing (AM) Feasibility Study, finding Guam has the basic building blocks for establishing a high-tech manufacturing sector. The study was commissioned by the Guam Economic Development Authority under the direction of Governor Lou Leon Guerrero as the first phase of a 12-month assessment on the viability of establishing industrial additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities in Guam. Developing an AM capacity on-island would offer new sources of spare parts, built on-demand to service fleets of military ships, aircrafts and vehicles – a bold development for both Guam’s economy and military populations. The project is part of Governor Guerrero’s bold vision to transform the island.
After experiencing the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Guerrero established a public/private task force to address economic diversification, together with the Guam Chamber of Commerce. She said that, “It was critical to diversify and add multiple industries that will strengthen [Guam’s] economy.” As part of their work, GEDA contracted ASTRO to assess the feasibility of a local additive AM industrial base on Guam, with the idea that this base will serve as a new economic engine for the island and U.S. Department of Defense activities in the region.
“According to our findings, solutions [to supply chain issues] may actually lie on the island of Guam itself—where strategically these components need to be. With appropriate investments in science, technology, and engineering, we could see the island printing its own parts, eventually growing its own capabilities to repair and upgrade critical infrastructure needed to keep the region—and America—safe.”
Work remains to be done in establishing an ecosystem tailored to distinct AM requirements as well as unique economic and geo-political conditions in Guam. To that end, ASTRO is currently working with Guam’s Bureau of Statistics of Planning on phase 2 of the assessment, focused on developing an implementation plan to help overcome logistical challenges re-supplying military and civilian operations on a remote island. This plan must also support sustainability and growth. It is expected to be completed in Fall 2023.
Read the press release here.
Find the report here.
Read more about the Guam Accelerator Project here.
3DPrint: Additive Manufacturing in Guam – A Path to Economic Diversity for the Island
In a piece for 3DPrint, Neal Orringer discussed the newly released feasibility study on the viability of establishing industrial additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities in Guam, crediting Guam’s Governor, Lou Leon Guerrero for her bold vision to transform the island and work with local partners on the project:
“After experiencing the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Guerrero established a public/private task force to address this priority, together with the Guam Chamber of Commerce. She said that, “It was critical to diversify and add multiple industries that will strengthen [Guam’s] economy.” As part of their work, the Guam Economic Development Administration (GEDA) contracted ASTRO to assess the feasibility of a local additive manufacturing (AM) industrial base on Guam, with the idea that this base will serve as a new economic engine for the island and U.S. Department of Defense activities in the region.
He talked about what a new AM industry could mean for Guam:
For an island almost completely reliant on imports, this could be a game-changer. Especially when you consider that estimates of the global 3D printing market range between $10-14 billion and continue to grow at a rapid clip. Also, over $11 billion in new military construction, maintenance and service contracts are expected in Guam and the Indo-Pacific Region over the next 5 years. Having factory-ready 3D printing capabilities could allow industries on the island to overcome logistical challenges and reduce requisition times for mission-essential parts by 90%.
Orringer discussed findings from the phase 1 report, saying:
The Phase 1 comprehensive study ASTRO completed for GEDA provides a baseline analysis on Guam’s economic readiness for feasible AM adoption. We spent months working with partners and stakeholders to assess current capabilities and needs for supply chain development; potential strategies for developing such a workforce and capabilities; and potential demand. We found that the building blocks are in place and an initiative would build off existing elements on-island. In fact, it appears likely that if sufficient funding were made available, such conditions could materialize to support a sustainable, productive 3D printing sector.
He also discussed what a potential project could look like and what is to come in Phase 2, which is already underway!
And to that end, we are excited to be working with Guam’s Small Business Administration on Phase 2 of this project. Phase II will conceive an implementation plan to help overcome logistical challenges re-supplying military and civilian operations on a remote island. This plan must also support sustainability and growth. We believe it will.
Read the piece here.
ASTRO America is Going to RAPID!!
Like many of you, the ASTRO team is counting down to RAPID. This year, ASTRO will be represented as follows:
On Wednesday, May 3, from 1:00pm – 1:50pm, Neal Orringer will speak on a thought leadership panel that 3dPrint has called a, “must see” panel, saying:
“A Disruption of the Industrial Base; Large-Scale Metal Additive Manufacturing” will feature Maj. Gen. Darren L. Werner. Werner will likely be discussing the use of MELD’s Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing technique outfitted onto an Ingersoll machine to produce tank parts, as the CEOs of each of those companies, Nancy Hardwick and Jeffrey Ahrstrom, are also on the panel, alongside LJ Holmes from Harrisburg University of Science; Neal Orringer, President of ASTRO America; and Brandon N. Pender, Associate Director for Ground Vehicle Materials Engineering at the US Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center.
Find details on Neal’s panel here.
ASTRO to Host Guam Additive Manufacturing (AM) Roundtable at RAPID
ASTRO America is conducting a “Additive Manufacturing (AM) Feasibility Study” that provides comprehensive analysis to determine the viability of a local industrial 3D printing industry in Guam. Now in the Phase II implementation planning stage, we are conducting roundtables with key individuals to share knowledge and discuss the barriers, business opportunities, and benefits of this initiative.
The first roundtables will take place during RAPID+TCT. Events are invitation only and space is limited.
For more information on the Guam Accelerator Project, click here.
ASTRO’s Neal Orringer to Speak at AMGTA Annual Summit in Chicago
ASTRO’s Neal Orringer will speak to members of Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA) at the Annual Summit on May 1st in Chicago. The event is focused on driving sustainable practices in additive manufacturing.
The AMGTA is a non-commercial, unaffiliated organization open to any additive manufacturer or industry stakeholder that meets certain criteria relating to sustainability of production or process.
Follow us on Twitter for updates on this, and other speaking engagements.
Guam Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero Coming to DC
As ASTRO kicks off the Phase II implementation planning stage of the Guam Accelerator Project, Guam Governor Lourdes “Lou” Leon Guerrerro is making a trip to DC for the 2023 SelectUSA Investment Summit. She will be speaking on two panels on May 3, as follows:
- Infrastructure Investments and Repairing the Global Supply Chain – Gov. Leon Guerrero will discuss ongoing efforts to revitalize infrastructure from 9:10am – 10:00am.
- Investing in the U.S. Territories – Gov. Leon Guerrero will talk about incentives offered in each territory for foreign investors from 1:30pm – 2:30pm.
For more information on the SelectUSA conference, click here.
Mark Your Calendar!
Here’s what we have coming up:
- Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA), May 1, Chicago
- RAPID + TCT, May 2-4, Chicago
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