REM SURFACE ENGINEERING SELECTED FOR $1.5M IN Research Funding through AIR FORCE AFWERX AND SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM

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Monday, April 5th, 2021 in

Brenham, Texas – REM Surface Engineering selected for two Phase II contracts through U.S. Air Force via their AFWERX, AF VENTURES and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program with a combined value of $1,500,000.

REM Surface Engineering’s proposal, “Internal/External Surface Finishing of Additively Manufactured Aluminum-Based Components,” is a follow-on (SBIR) Phase II contract from the AF proposed during their Open Call for Innovative Clear Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force Stakeholder Topic in support of the Ogden Air Logistic Complex (OO-ALC). REM’s Phase 1 SBIR focused on developing surface finishing processes for the aluminum alloy A6061-RAM2 from Elementum 3D.  This follow-on, Phase 2 SBIR will focus on advancing surface finishing processes for additional aluminum-based (and similar) alloys in support of OO-ALC’s readiness and sustainment goals. 

The second proposal, “Development of Manufacturing, Heat Treatment, and Surface Finishing Guidelines to Yield Ready-to-Use IN- 718 Additive Manufacturing Components,” is a Direct to Phase II contract from the AF under their Open Call for Innovative Clear Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force Stakeholder Topic for direct work with Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/Armament Sustainment Division (AFLCMC/EBW). This Phase 2 SBIR will focus on developing manufacturing strategies for the utilization of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and surface finishing technologies to produce IN-718 components for a broad range of legacy armament systems.

SBIR awards are highly competitive research-based programs that provide U.S. small businesses the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research, development, and commercialization.  Phase II of the SBIR program emphasizes meeting technological challenges of government end-users; the R&D of the proposed technology to process/prototype development (Federal Technology Readiness Level 5-6); and allows small businesses to grow new, innovative solutions to address emerging federal and commercial needs.

“These contract awards represent REM’s fourth and fifth SBIR awards in just over three years, which is a huge accomplishment for a company of our size.   Countless hours of research, innovation, problem-solving, and the ingenuity of our Research team have led to these successes and we are excited to continue developing novel additive manufacturing solutions for the Air Force to ensure the safety and readiness of their people and fleet.”- Nathan Michaud, Vice President of Strategy

REM Surface Engineering expresses their sincere appreciation to industry partners for their support: Ball AerospaceNorthrop Grumman, Relativity Space, Elementum3D, Expansia Group, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

About REM Surface Engineering

REM Surface Engineering, the inventor of the ISF® Process, the Rapid ISF® Process, the Extreme ISF® Process, and the REM® Process, is a global leader in providing surface engineering solutions. The REM’s isotropic superfinishing technologies are value-adding and performance-enhancing improvements to conventional machining operations such as grinding and lapping. Founded in 1965 in Southington, CT by Robert Michaud, REM Surface Engineering is a family-owned company that has proudly been serving our partners and customers for over 50 years. REM Surface Engineering operates four locations in Brenham, TX, Southington, CT, Merrillville, IN, and St. Neots, UK that provide products and services globally. For more information, please visit www.remchem.com.

AFRL and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research process in an attempt to speed up the experience, broaden the pool of potential applicants, and decrease bureaucratic overhead. Beginning in SBIR 18.2, and now in 20.1, the Air Force has begun offering ‘Special’ SBIR topics that are faster, leaner, and open to a broader range of innovations.