Nikon SLM Solutions is proud to support the adoption of Constellium’s Aheadd® CP1 aluminum alloy on our industrial-scale NXG XII 600 systems as part of a multi-phase innovation program aimed at advancing additive manufacturing in aerospace and defense.

Led by Nikon Advanced Manufacturing in collaboration with America Makes and funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology (OSD ManTech), the program is focused on developing next-generation materials and manufacturing solutions for critical thermal management components, such as heat exchangers. These parts are essential to the performance, reliability, and efficiency of modern defense and aerospace systems, especially under extreme thermal loads.

Advancing National Manufacturing Goals

This project is a clear example of how Nikon SLM Solutions’ technology supports U.S. manufacturing priorities by accelerating material innovation, enabling scalable production, and supporting strategic alliances between defense, government, and industry.

With the ability to print aluminum alloys like Aheadd® CP1 at industrial throughput, our NXG XII 600 provides a production-ready platform for high-performance, lightweight parts that meet the demanding requirements of defense applications. The system’s high build rates and ultra-low oxygen processing environment are particularly well suited to materials used in thermal applications, ensuring consistency and repeatability.

Collaboration That Moves the Industry Forward

This initiative brings together a powerful network of partners across industry and standards development:

• Program Partners: Constellium, ASTM International, 3Degrees
• Technical Advisors: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, General Atomics, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies

These organizations bring deep expertise in materials science, additive manufacturing qualification, and defense system integration, helping to ensure that innovations translate into real-world impact.

Strengthening the U.S. Defense Industrial Base

As global demands for defense readiness and technological superiority grow, programs like this play a vital role in building a resilient and agile manufacturing base. Nikon SLM Solutions is honored to contribute to this mission by delivering the hardware and know-how needed to move advanced concepts into scalable production.

By combining cutting-edge alloys with next-generation metal AM platforms, the project demonstrates how additive manufacturing can solve some of the most complex thermal and performance challenges in aerospace and defense while accelerating innovation across the supply chain.

Our Mission, to Empower Yours

To learn more about how Nikon SLM Solutions can help you optimize your manufacturing processes, please contact our team.