SPEE3D metal printers for US Navy exercise

Australia-based SPEE3D, a leading supplier of some of the world's fastest and most rugged metal 3D printers, has been selected to take part in the U.S. Navy's Maintenance Technology Engagement Exercise (MAINTENX) to manufacture deployable metal 3D printing technology at both port and sea.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with the US Naval Warfare Centers to test and validate our unique metal 3D printing capability that is used anywhere – not just a lab – and to quickly print large scale parts that would otherwise take weeks or even months to manufacture," said SPEE3D CEO Byron Kennedy. "We understand their operational challenges both on land and sea, and look forward to strengthening our existing relationships with the US Department of Defense as a trusted partner."

Sponsored by NAVSEA 05T, the technology office of the U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command, MAINTENX aims to accelerate the identification and implementation of leading-edge capabilities by the U.S. Navy and its partners in port and maritime security.

The program consists of technical demonstrations, field experiments, and exercises to help solve fleet expeditionary maintenance and battle-related support requirements. MAINTENX gives technologists an understanding of operational challenges faced by servicemen – and servicemen an understanding of developing technologies to meet their needs in possible combat scenarios.

SPEE3D already has extensive experience working with military, having been contracted by the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy to bring the company's 3D printing capabilities to the Australian Defence Force.

By having its printer hauled through the rough Australian outback for three weeks, on a round trip of more than 764 miles (1,200 kilometers), while simultaneously printing replacement parts for an M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, WarpSPEE3D was successful in printing dozens of difference replacement parts for the vehicle.

One of which was a wheel bearing cover, a part which is often damaged by trees when driving through the bushland. The two-kilogram (4.4 pounds) cover was printed in just 29 minutes at a print cost of around US$100.

SPEE3D's metal cold spray 3D printing process is 100 to 1000 times faster than traditional metal 3D printing, enabling the most affordable metal additive manufacturing process to produce industrial quality parts in minutes – from anywhere.

SPEE3D has previously collaborated with U.S. Department of Defense as the inaugural winner of the Defense Strategies Institute's Award for Expeditionary and Tactical 3D Printing Excellence in recognition of the technology's outstanding achievements in 3D printing in support of DoD mission priorities.

Earlier this year, Phillips Federal's Center of Innovation – co-located at the Rock Island Arsenal's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence – upgraded to a WarpSPEE3D printer to further develop the facility's additive manufacturing capability and develop large format, parts-on-demand metal applications for the U.S. Army.

Because the process harnesses the power of kinetic energy rather than relying on high-power lasers and expensive gasses, it allows metal 3D printing at normal production costs.

For the MAINTENX program, SPEE3D will utilize their WarpSPEE3D, the world's first large-format metal 3D printer, which can print large parts or even multiple parts at once.

Solutions will be demonstrated in a one-on-one setting onboard the Navy's Self Defense Test Ship, currently based at Port Hueneme, California.