General Lattice Secures Contract with the U.S. Army

General Lattice, Inc. is developing a predictive modeling toolset to design and generate lattice materials based on real-world data, which will improve impact absorption technology for the U.S. Army Combat Helmet. The yearlong research and development project is currently underway at General Lattice’s facility in Chicago.

The capabilities of traditional foam material have been exhausted, and General Lattice is engineering and authenticating its replacement using 3D printing and advanced lattice geometries, according to the company. The lattice materials designed by the company are unattainable through conventional composites and manufacturing technologies.

These generated lattice materials will interact with real-world environment testing to accurately validate key performance requirements as defined by the Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC). This is to enhance soldier protection and survivability for the warfighter.

The company has selected specimen attributes, material and hardware candidates applicable for the combat helmet’s suspension system and impact absorption. Manufactured lattice samples will be tested to measure the accuracy of General Lattice’s predictive model.

The predictive toolset will be the primary result of the contract, allowing DEVCOM-SC to effectively explore lattice padding profiles for future use across myriad applications.

Utilizing advanced lattice materials and 3D printing enables General Lattice to engineer and manufacture personalized products that are fine-tuned to specific biometric characteristics without the additional costs and waste traditionally tied to customization efforts. This is possible through the Company’s expertise in computational design and digital manufacturing.

General Lattice is partnering with All Points Logistics LLC, an engineering, software development and technology firm that has provided high-value services and solutions to the military and Federal markets for over 20 years. General Lattice will collaborate with GoProto, Inc., a rapid manufacturing company based in San Diego, CA.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.