America Makes, a U.S. defense manufacturing innovation institution, visits Naval Shipyard
to discuss collaboration in defense 3D printing technology
On October 16, 2024, America Makes, a U.S. defense manufacturing innovation institution, visited the Jinhae Naval Maintenance Depot in Korea to discuss collaboration in defense 3D printing technology. This visit was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with a focus on enhancing rapid parts procurement and maintenance capabilities in the defense sector through 3D printing.
This event brought together key leaders, including Heonsik Choi (Commander of the Jinhae Naval Shipyard,), Team Leader Yongjin Lee of the 3D Printing Team, Kimberly Gibson (Ecosystem Director at America Makes), Keelan Jennings (International Technology Cooperation Officer at DEVCOM, U.S. Army Futures Command), Lieutenant Colonel Inyoung Jung (3D Printing Policy Officer, Ministry of National Defense), and Yong Son (Director of KAMIC). The discussions focused on sharing experiences and insights regarding 3D printing applications in defense and exploring future collaboration opportunities.
[History of Korea-U.S. Collaboration in 3D Printing]
As a subsidiary of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) under the U.S. Department of Defense, America Makes specializes in 3D printing R&D and technology commercialization. Since 2023, the organization has collaborated with the Korean Ministry of National Defense and KAMIC to establish a robust technological cooperation framework aimed at enhancing 3D printing capabilities in manufacturing. This meeting marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership.
- October 2023: Virtual meeting between America Makes, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.
- November 2023: Kimberly Gibson visits KAMIC.
- April 2024: Senior Researcher Youngwon Kim visits America Makes Headquarters.
- July 2024: Korean Ministry of National Defense representatives visit America Makes Headquarters.
- October 2024: Kimberly Gibson and Enora Rogers visit KAMIC and meet with Lieutenant Colonel Inyoung Jung from the Ministry of National Defense.
During the visit to Jinhae, the delegation toured the Naval Maintenance Depot’s historical archives and 3D printing facilities. The tour highlighted the infrastructure, technical expertise, and past achievements of the Korean Navy’s 3D printing team, which were shared with the U.S. delegation. America Makes representatives expressed that the technical capabilities and utilization of 3D printing in the Korean Navy are on par with those of the U.S. Navy, confirming the potential for mutual collaboration to enhance defense capabilities.
Top 5 Use Cases of AM in ROK Navy
This visit marks a significant step forward in strengthening Korea-U.S. collaboration in defense 3D printing technology. Through the integration of advanced manufacturing technologies and mutual exchanges, we look forward to achieving meaningful outcomes. KAMIC remains committed to unlocking new possibilities in defense 3D printing and contributing to technological innovation in the sector.
[관련링크]
2023년 10월 한·미 ‘적층제조 쇼케이스’ 열려…3D프린팅 협력 논의
