ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. — Modernization plans at the Rock Island Arsenal – Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center are coming to fruition with multiple projects, funded for more than $45 million, beginning to break ground.
One of those projects is the Jointless Hull Large Format Tool, the world’s largest 3D metal printer, set to be operational this coming spring. A commemoration event was held at its future installation site on Oct. 24.
This tool will be capable of printing components as large as 20-ft. by 30-ft. by 12-ft. and is designed to improve military vehicle protection by eliminating the seams in the hull, which are inherently the weakest part of a vehicle.
“Today is not only a celebration of one of the Army’s centerpiece modernization efforts, but also the beginning of an endeavor to ensure the survivability of America’s fighting force,” said Maj. Gen. Darren Werner, commanding general, U.S. Army Tank-automotive & Armaments Command.
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