Additive Manufacturing (AM) Angled Walls and Laser System Characterization

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking a sole source contract for Additive Manufacturing (AM) Angled Walls and Laser System Characterization. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has been identified as the sole provider of this service due to their unique capabilities in additive manufacture parameter development, beam shaping lasers, and material characterization facilities. The contract will involve the development and analysis of samples with specific requirements, including the evaluation of Inconel 718 L-PBF angled wall samples, characterization of Inconel 718 LP-DED angled wall samples, comparison of LP-DED JBK-75 powder vendors, and comparison of laser systems. The tasks will be conducted over a period of 12 months, and the vendor will be required to provide reports in the form of journal articles. • The vendor will evaluate Inconel 718 L-PBF angled wall samples with various machine configurations and build angles. • The vendor will complete characterization and microstructure of Inconel 718 LP-DED AM with various wall angles and machine configurations. • The vendor will compare LP-DED JBK-75 powder vendors and evaluate the effects of varying powder vendors. • The vendor will compare laser systems, including a standard fixed focus laser system and a beam shaping laser system.