AML3D awarded $1.12 million grant for project to increase printer speed

Wire arc additive manufacturing business AML3D has been awarded a $1.12 million grant from South Australia’s Economic Recovery Fund, which will support half the cost of an R&D project to increase the deposition rates of the company’s printers.

The project is named “ARCEMY Increase Deposition Rates” (AIDR) project, is scheduled to begin in August and run 15 months, and is expected to create four new roles.

AML3D’s machines combine welding engineering, robotics and computer-aided design to build large-format additively manufactured parts.

According to an ASX statement on Tuesday, the $2.2 million AIDR project will see consumables “sourced through South Australian suppliers, with verification testing being carried out in Australia at an approved National Association of Testing Authorities laboratory”.

The resulting 3D print system is expected to be able to produce “large-scale and exotic material parts even faster, using less energy, creating less waste and to a higher standard” versus an unspecified traditional manufacturing process.

“From our global base in Adelaide, we are delivering ARCEMY systems and metal 3D printed components to support the US Navy’s submarine industrial base, the Australian Defence and Science Technology Group and tier one, global customers such as Boeing and Chevron,” said CEO Sean Ebert. 

AML3D currently has contracts to supply its printing systems and metal printed components in the defence sector, including supporting the US Navy’s submarine industrial base.

The state government’s Economic Recovery Fund (ERF) is a $122 million program targeting improvement in productivity, exports and “innovative, value adding technologies”.

The $20 million Round 1 of the ERF supports companies in manufacturing and regional tourism infrastructure development.

Picture: credit AML3D

Further reading

AML3D raises $3 million to support expansion into US defence industry

AML3D sells another large 3D printer to US Navy

AML3D expands focus on US defence customers

AML3D wins US submarine 3D print contract

AML3D awarded $1.54 million contract on copper-nickel alloys for US submarines