2023-10-20 22:13:00
It has long been known that the US Department of Defense is investing heavily in 3D printing. What is new is that the US military currently has a real life test environment in Ukraine. The ministry has signed a contract with Spee3D for the supply of seven AM systems. And that is not the only investment.
Australian Spee3D has signed a contract with the US Department of Defense for the supply of seven 3D metal printers, WarpSpeed3D, to Ukraine, including training of troops. The metal printers are used at various locations in Ukraine to print parts for defense equipment.
Spee3D supplies US defense with 7 3D metal printers for Ukraine
Repairing material in hours
“We want to give Ukrainian soldiers the tools to strengthen their maintenance and repair capabilities where and when it matters most,” said Chris Harris, VP of Defense for Spee3D. “The metal 3D printers allow them to create metal parts when they are needed and in real time, keeping critical equipment in the fight.” This allows damaged equipment to be repaired in hours, even if spare parts are not available. The Australian manufacturer’s metal printing system uses kinetic energy to melt the powder. The cold spray technology is suitable for these types of applications. The Warspeed3D system is mounted on a trailer and can be easily moved.
Million dollar contract for 3Yourmind
The Australians are not the only ones who have won a defense contract. 3Yourmind also won a $2.5 million contract this summer from Marine Corps System Command’s Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell (AMOC). Together with Phillips Corp. Federal Division, 3Yourmond’s part identification software will be integrated into the US Navy’s digital manufacturing data management system. The contract comes following the parties have already worked together last year and is valid for two years. In the near future, 3Yourmind will, among other things, create a link between the defense platform and third-party software, such as PTC Windchill. AMOC will also provide 2D drawings to analyze in bulk how suitable they are for 3D printing.
Marines 3D print plaster casts during a flight
Game-changer for Marine Corps
Last summer, the US Navy also used 3D printing in a very different way. Aboard a Bell-Boeing Osprey Marine Corps airborne technicians have successfully 3D printed a medical plaster cast. It is thought that this might save lives and limbs if this technique is deployed on a large scale in combat zones. Together with other 3D printing solutions, the Marine Corps believes that logistics will radically change in the future. “In a nutshell, additive manufacturing is a game-changer for the Marine Corps. It allows us to repair equipment and innovate solutions on the front lines,” said Matt Audette, program analyst for the U.S. Marine Corps Advanced Manufacturing System. “With its smaller footprint and easy-to-use technology, we can make critical components directly on the battlefield, allowing us to respond faster and faster in any combat scenario.” He says he considers the accessibility of 3D printers to be an advantage compared to traditional production techniques.
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