How can 3D printing improve energy absorption of combat helmets? General Lattice is working on it.

Image: U.S. Army illustration

General Lattice, Inc., a provider of end-to-end computational design and digital manufacturing solutions on a service and software basis, has just secured a contract with the U.S. Army to improve energy absorption of next generation combat helmet.

The contract will consist for the AM expert to develop a predictive modeling toolset to design and generate lattice materials based on real-world data, which will improve impact absorption technology for the U.S. Army Combat Helmet.

The yearlong research and development project is currently underway and so far the Chicago-based team of the company has learned that the capabilities of traditional foam material have been exhausted. General Lattice is engineering and authenticating its replacement using 3D printing and advanced lattice geometries.

According to the Company, the lattice materials are unattainable through conventional composites and manufacturing technologies. These generated lattice materials will interact with real-world environment testing to accurately validate key performance requirements as defined by the Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC). This is to enhance soldier protection and survivability for the warfighter.

The company has selected specimen attributes, material, and hardware candidates applicable for the combat helmet’s suspension system and impact absorption. Manufactured lattice samples will be tested to measure the accuracy of General Lattice’s predictive model. The predictive toolset will be the primary result of the contract, allowing DEVCOM-SC to effectively explore lattice padding profiles for future use across myriad applications.

Lattice materials will revolutionize the way companies manufacture new innovative products across all commercial, industrial, and military markets. Utilizing advanced lattice materials and 3D printing enables General Lattice to engineer and manufacture true, personalized products that are fine-tuned to specific biometric characteristics without the additional costs and waste traditionally tied to customization efforts. This is possible through the Company’s expertise in computational design and digital manufacturing.

General Lattice is excited to partner with All Points Logistics LLC, an engineering, software development, and technology firm that has provided high-value services and solutions to the military and Federal markets for over 20 years. Further, the company will collaborate with GoProto, Inc., a rapid manufacturing company based in San Diego, California.

 

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