Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024 - 20

Additive Manufacturing
software and the WarpSPEE3D 3D metal
printer. The part was installed, and the
vehicle was then taken out on multiple
test cycles. The part showed no degradation
when evaluated after the test cycles,
according to an overview of the demonstration
on SPEE3D's website.
" This demonstration successfully
An image from SPEE3D's participation in the experimental portion of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise
- at the Marine Corps Air Station in Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii. The SPEE3D Expeditionary Manufacturing
Unit (EMU), a complete on-site mobile additive manufacturing solution, was deployed during the trial and
printed several cast-equivalent metal parts from aluminum and stainless steel to be studied for their material
properties and viability for repairing and replacing defense equipment in a contested environment.
(Image: SPEE3D)
illustrated how cold spray technology
can be utilized to positively impact the
warfighter in expeditionary scenarios, "
Michael Nicholas, Materials Engineer at
DEVCOM ARL, said in a statement
about the demonstration. " Expeditionary
cold systems provide added repair
and manufacturing capabilities which
can address supply chain challenges as
would be expected in a contested logistics
environment. "
According to SPEE3D's website, WarpSPEE3D,
the 3D printer used in the
Bradley Fighting vehicle demonstration,
is capable of 3D printing metal
parts up to Ø1m × 0.7m /Ø40 " × 30 " in
diameter and 40kg (88lbs) in weight.
The company has a total of four different
3D printers. The largest is XSPEE3D,
which is the same size as a 20-foot container.
WarpSPEE3D has a lower
machine footprint at 13.5 feet in length,
and LightSPEE3D the smal lest of
SPEE3D's 3D printers, is 10.3 feet long
by 4.8 feet wide. All of the machines can
be easily transported by truck.
SPEE3D has highlighted the machine
footprint and clearance required for its
3D printers to demonstrate how they
can be transported and deployed in
remote areas, where military units can
use them for point of need manufacturing.
The robotic assembly arm, phaser
nozzle and other components are
housed within the machine's ruggedized
exterior.
SPEE3Dcell is the company's post-processing
and testing unit, and when combined
with XSPEE3D, can provide a full
end-to-end 3D printing operation for
remote manufacturing.
" SPEE3D tech has been tested in hot
and freezing temperatures and it can perform
in all kinds of conditions, including
on or near conflict zones, " the company's
representative said.
The Army DEVCOM Bradley Fighting
A U.S. Army soldier does final post-processing for a base plate manufactured with WarpSPEE3D for an armored
vehicle. (Image: SPEE3D approved photo. Use of this photo does not imply DoD USMC endorsement)
20
mobilityengineeringtech.com
vehicle transmission mount demonstration
is one of several demonstrations
Aerospace & Defense Technology, December 2024

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Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2024

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