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Spee3D, an Australian-based supplier of metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology, has been working with the to test and validate metal 3D printing as a military capability.

The Australian Army is developing their metal manufacturing capability with Spee3D’s metal 3D printing technology. The Australian Army reportedly invested in a pilot of Spee3D technology in February 2020 with a 12-month trial of the WarpSpee3D Tactical printer. According to the company, the trial was designed to test the feasibility of deploying metal 3D printing as a capability both in barracks and in the field. The WarpSpee3D Tactical printer uses patented cold spray technology, which Spee3D claims enables users to print large metal parts up to 40 kg at a rate of 100 g per minute.

Spee3D has also been working with the army to train the first military additive manufacturing cell (AMC) technicians who specialize in the production of 3D metal printed parts, from design to printing, machining, heat treatment and certification.

Over the three-week trial, the team are producing metal parts for the M113 armored personnel carrier. According to the company, the aim of this year’s trial is to prove metal 3D printing can produce high-quality, military grade parts that can be validated and certified for use in the field.

As the program continues, the AMC will explore more components that can be repaired and replaced using metal 3D printing and assess how this technology may eventually fit into Australian Army infrastructure.