WarpSPEE3D printers deployed to Ukraine

Contributing to the ongoing war effort in Ukraine, Australia-based SPEE3D, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, will provide the war-torn country with seven of its WarpSPEE3D metal 3D printers to support the fight against Russia's invasion.

"We're focused on giving Ukrainian soldiers resources to fortify the maintenance and repair capabilities when and where it counts most," said SPEE3D Vice President of Defence Chris Harris. "Our metal 3D printers will allow Ukrainian soldiers to manufacture metal parts at the point of need and in real-time so critical equipment can stay in the fight."

Already field-proven in the harsh climate of Australia's rugged Outback and selected as a printer system of choice by the U.S. Navy, SPEE3D's deployable metal 3D printers – WarpSPEE3D and XSPEE3D – both utilize a patented cold-spray additive manufacturing technology which is specifically suited for frontline environments, as it does not rely on laser or gases, only pure kinetic force.

For example, during Project Convergence 2022, the company demonstrated the impact of its technology on military supply chains with the Australian, British, and U.S. armies.

Testing the advantages of using the WarpSPEE3D printer in the field, the British Army team designed an M109 specialist tool in less than 30 minutes and had the part printed and heat-treated in about two hours.

Instead of waiting for transport and communications to send the part to wherever it may be needed, if it could even get shipped to a potential hot zone, the part was ready in the field in under three hours.

Having the ability to print parts and tools in the field is expected to provide an exceptional advantage to Ukrainian soldiers.

"Having WarpSPEE3D metal 3D printers in the country and readily available equates to a significant advantage when replacement parts are not accessible, which is often the case in theater," said Director of Defense Programs, EMEA, Calum Stewart.

Hoping its technology can make a difference, SPEE3D and the Department of Defense will train soldiers to maintain and repair military equipment and salvage machinery to enable military personnel to have the ability to manufacture parts of consequence, large and small, that would otherwise halt an advance or cripple an operation.

"By training Ukrainian soldiers and engineers to leverage metal 3D printing, we're not only enabling them to print a part – we're giving them tools to solve critical problems," said Stewart. "This cutting-edge technology allows broken and damaged machinery to be repaired in hours – offering a significant advantage for Ukraine."

Adding yet another world military to its growing portfolio of defense forces, SPEE3D and its metal 3D printers have ultimately cemented themselves as a technology of choice in future conflicts. With the ability to print possible life-saving parts at near-demand, frontline printers and their support technicians may find themselves as a new critical piece of military personnel, much like the first-generation "walkie-talkies" did during World War II.