Australian company AML3D has installed two large metal 3D printers at a US shipyard that builds military vessels, with an additional order for four more units. This technology will enable faster and more cost-effective part manufacturing, reducing delays that previously extended up to two years. For the public, this translates into shipbuilding with fewer delays and lower costs, which could strengthen national security and generate employment in the industry.
How additive manufacturing reduces defense timelines 🚢
AML3D printers, based on Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology, work with high-strength alloys such as naval steel and aluminum. By printing components directly at the shipyard, long supply chains and external forging times are eliminated. This allows critical parts to be replaced in days instead of months, optimizing the maintenance of warships. The additional order of four units suggests the Navy aims to standardize this process to accelerate the production of new vessels.
Goodbye to the two-year wait for a part 😅
Before, if a ship needed a spare part, technicians had to arm themselves with patience, pray to the gods of bureaucracy, and wait almost the lifespan of a smartphone. Now, with 3D printing, the military can have their part in the time it takes to watch two episodes of their favorite series. Of course, let's hope the printers don't fail just when the captain shouts: Print, damn it!