Last October, U.S. troops showcased the advancements in additive manufacturing by successfully 3D printing drone parts inside a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter mid-flight. This operation highlighted the sustained functionality of the printer despite adverse conditions like turbulence and temperature fluctuations. At the forefront of this experiment was FieldFab, a 3D printing system developed by Craitor, designed to endure harsh environments, including extreme temperatures and humidity. To gain insights about Craitor and its innovations, we spoke with Eric Shnell, co-founder and CEO.
Eric Shnell began his journey into 3D printing in the early 2010s as a hobbyist and later pursued an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at UC San Diego. In this capacity, he trained students in maker studios, leading to significant involvement in the U.S. Marine Corps’ advanced manufacturing initiatives, which culminated in the founding of Craitor. The company aims to make additive manufacturing practical and reliable in real-world operational scenarios.
Craitor was born from Shnell’s experiences with the Marine Corps, where he recognized both the immense potential and the limitations of existing 3D printing technologies in critical operational settings. Aimed at filling this gap, Craitor’s mission focuses on achieving manufacturing capabilities that can create vital components in the most resource-constrained and extreme environments. This approach provides an alternative to traditional supply chains that often fall short.
FieldFab is built to meet MIL-STD-810H standards, allowing it to operate in temperatures from -40°F to 120°F and be transported via air, land, and sea. It’s designed for high automation, which reduces training time for operators to about 15 minutes, making it user-friendly and reliable. This reliability allows collaboration with OEM partners to create a digital supply chain capable of producing certified parts on demand.
FieldFab can print numerous types of functional parts, aiding critical applications in vehicle systems, medical equipment, and communications. It serves as a vital resource for managing supply chain delays and as an emergency repair solution in challenging environments.
Shnell recalled an impactful deployment of FieldFab integrated into a UH-60 Black Hawk, where it successfully printed UAV components during flight. This operation demonstrated the system’s robustness under real operational conditions.
Looking ahead, Craitor plans to expand its ecosystem of manufacturing capabilities and digital infrastructure, further developing its offerings to streamline supply chains from manufacturing to frontline operations. Since its founding in 2019, the company has navigated various challenges, including global events and rapid growth while maintaining a dedicated focus on its mission to serve warfighters.
In closing, Eric encouraged readers to pursue their creative endeavors, emphasizing the importance of building and innovating.