ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | SEPTEMBER 2026 1 7 rocket components (Fig. 7), was recently awarded $8.7 million by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to develop real-time nondestructive flaw detection in WAAM[20]. ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING FOR THE FUTURE SUPPLY CHAIN From the manual forge welding circa 400 AD of the Iron Pillar of Delhi to produce a large monolith, to the discovery of the continuous electric arc in the 19th century and subsequent proliferation of the electric welding industry, and then to automated shape welding in the 20th and early 21st centuries for rapid manufacture of components with reduced labor input, the development and advancement of additive manufacturing has involved continuous incorporation of new technological developments to increase productivity, reduce costs, and enable new capabilities. Combining the strengths of multiple additive manufacturing processes with in-situ monitoring, feedback techniques, and intelligently integrating post-processing, such as machining and heat treatment, into integrated workflows is the next frontier. Therefore, it is now more appropriate to consider convergent manufacturing as a field, encompassing not only welding and additive manufacturing but a wholistic vision for automated, modular systems capable of performing most steps necessary to make a finished compo- nent. Such systems are under develop- ment today and may begin to compensate for labor shortages and the erosion of domestic industrial base capacity by increasing domestic productivity via automation. If successful, this will move the advantage back to domestic production by eliminating the costs and risks associated with long-term supply chains. ~AM&P For more information: Adam G. Stevens, Manufacturing Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Rd., Oak Ridge, TN 37830, stevensag@ornl.gov, ornl.gov. References 1. Public domain images: en.wiki- pedia.org/wiki/File:Iron_Pillar,_Delhi,_ May_2008.jpg; inset: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inscription_on_ Iron_Pillar,_Delhi.jpg. 2. R.F. Tylecote, A History of Metallurgy, second edition, p 48, 1992. 3. E. Fouché, Improvement Relating to Gas Blow-Pipes, GB190306944A, March 25, 1904. 4. C. Picard, Blowpipe, filed June 13, 1904, patented May 22, 1906, U.S. Patent No. 821,188. 5. Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, “Alessandro Volta,” Encyclopedia Britan- nica, April 15, 2024, britannica.com/ biography/Alessandro-Volta. 6. A. Anders, Tracking Down the Origin of Arc Plasma Science II. Early Continuous Discharges, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, digital. library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc- 785757/m2/1/high_res_d/823202.pdf. 7. Mode de soudure autogène par l’électricité, Auguste de Mèritens, submitted Nov. 24, 1881, French Patent No. 146,010. 8. C.L. Coffin, patent granted January 8, 1889, U.S. Patent No. 395,878. 9. H.D. Morton, Control System for Electric Arc Welding Mechanism, patented September 17, 1918, U.S. Patent No. 1,278,982. 10. H.L. Unland, Automatic Electric Arc Welding Machine, Power and Mining Department, General Electric Co., American Machinist, 53, Part 2, 1920. 11. P.O. Noble, Apparatus for Arc Welding, patented September 16, 1924, U.S. Patent No. 1,508,711. 12. P.P. Alexander, filed December 26, 1924, patent granted February 4, 1930, U.S. Patent No. 1,746,207, assigned to General Electric Co. 13. H.M. Hobart, filed June 29, 1926, granted February 4, 1930, U.S. Patent No. 1,746,081, assigned to General Electric Co. 14. P.K. Devers, filed June 25, 1926, granted February 4, 1930, U.S. Patent No. 1,746,191. 15. P.G. Weeber, Shape Welding of Edges and Stubs on Thick-walled Pressure Vessels, translated by Lastechniek, 1968. 16. R. Müller, Shape Deposition Welding as a Manufacturing Process for Large Workpieces in Tank Construction, translated, Techn. Mitt. Krupp, Forsch.-Ber., 29(2), 1971. 17. K. Kussmaul, F.-W. Schoch, and H. Luckow, High Quality Large Components ‘Shape Welded’ by a SAW Process, Welding Journal, p 17-24, 1983. 18. P.M. Dickens, et al., Rapid Prototyping using 3-D Welding, International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, p 280-290, 1992. 19. R. Wilmoth, et al., Additive Manufacturing in a Naval Aircraft Carrier Construction Project, American Welding Society Welding Digest, February 2023, aws.org/magazines-and-media/ magazine-and-journal/welding-digest/ wd-feb-2023-additive-manufacturingin-a-naval-aircraft-carrier-construction-project. 20. defense.gov/News/Contracts/ Contract/Article/3731560. THE DELHI IRON PILLAR: ASM INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION In 2013, the Delhi Iron Pillar was designated as an ASM Historical Landmark. The citation reads: “Delhi Iron Pillar—The rustless metallurgical marvel dedicated to ancient iron making traditions and blacksmiths of ancient India.” On November 28, 2014, ASM immediate past president, Ravi C. Ravindran, FASM, was onsite in India for the dedication of the monument as an ASM Historical Landmark. Known for its corrosion resistance, the massive pillar has evoked considerable interest among metallurgists.
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