Airmen assigned to the 86th Maintenance Squadron created the Air Force’s first Additive Manufacturing Team through the Hercules Innovation Lab in February.
The nine-person team tackles supply chain issues, saving time and money by using reverse engineering and 3D printers to create replacement parts and new devices to assist units across Ramstein.
“3D-printing a simple part could save thousands of dollars,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kyle Shoup, 86th MXS Air Force Repair Enhancement Program Manager. “The printing filament only costs about $25 for 2.2 pounds of material, or 33 cubic inches.”