Additive manufacturing software company 1000 Kelvin has joined forces with Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) spun-off Fieldmade to fast-track the utilization of 3D printers in active combat zones. The initiation of this alliance was done during the Military Additive Manufacturing (MilAM) summit and technology exposition. The collaboration is said to significantly boost strategic readiness and operational competencies for the military sector.
Under this collaboration, 1000 Kelvin’s AMAIZE platform will be integrated with Fieldmade’s on-the-go additive manufacturing solutions, including its NOMAD series of transferable 3D printing modules.
This integration, as per the companies, will allow those on the battlefield to commence 3D printing at once as the module is delivered on site, enabling the users to promptly modify their operational manufacturing requirements.
The MilAM, the largest military, aerospace, and defense additive manufacturing event in North America, took place in Florida on the 16th and 17th of January.
“Our vision is to make deployable 3D printing as easy as using a vending machine. The integration of 1000 Kelvin’s AMAIZE into our products is a significant step towards this goal,” commented Fieldmade CEO, Jostein Olsen.
“By combining our strengths, we’re not just advancing technology; we’re providing solutions that can save time, costs, and in critical military scenarios, even lives,” added Omar Fergani, CEO and Co-Founder of 1000 Kelvin.
Fieldmade’s NOMAD microfactory. Photo via Urban Alps.
AMAIZE and NOMAD to combine on the battlefield
1000 Kelvin’s revolutionary product, AMAIZE, effectively merges artificial intelligence with physics and manufacturing data providing an ‘AI-assistant’ for additive manufacturing engineers. Unveiled at Formnext 2023, the software developed, AMAIZE, idealizes 3D print ‘recipes’ enabling the accurate printing of parts in the first attempt.
As the 3D print file is fed into the AMAIZE cloud, the software scrutinizes the component and automatically rectifies any thermo-mechanical hitches by enhancing the scan strategy and process parameters. This efficient method is believed to bypass the necessity for costly finite simulation software, mitigating the requirement for multiple tangible iterations in the process. This practice reduces material wastage, cost, and energy consumption. To this end, 1000 Kelvin has commenced its initial AMAIZE collaborations with 3D printer producer EOS and an undisclosed rocket launch provider based in California.
Moreover, AMAIZE is acclaimed to be perfectly compatible with Fieldmade’s portable additive manufacturing technology. Introduced back in 2016, Fieldmade provides comprehensive additive manufacturing systems that are easily transportable and particularly designed for military applications. Its NOMAD microfactories consist of a chain of military standard transferable units featuring ISO/CSC certified containers, 3D printer compartments offering environmental control, fully stabilized 3D printer foundations (for air, sea, and land transport), and quality control and inspection tools. Powder bed fusion, VAT polymerization, Direct Energy Deposition (DED), and material extrusion 3D printing technologies are all available in NOMAD.
In the past, Fieldmade has collaborated with the Norwegian Armed Forces and other defense entities. The company has also successfully demonstrated its technology in field exercises and commercial developments in the energy sector.
1000 Kelvin and Fieldmade are confident that this collaboration will enable rapid, high-quality part production at the point of need in all combat environments.
Additive manufacturing on the front lines
1000 Kelvin’s software acts as an autocorrect copilot for 3D printing. Photo via 1000 Kelvin.
Amidst the global increase in strife, additive manufacturing is frequently used on or near conflict zones for the creation of crucial parts. In the previous year, the Australian metal 3D printer manufacturer, SPEE3D, delivered seven WarpSPEE3D 3D printers to Ukraine as a facet of the US Department of Defence’s Ukraine Security Assistance scheme.
Specializing in the construction of defense-specialized cold-spray 3D printers, the company also conducted a 15-day training course for Ukrainian military staff. Calum Stewart, SPEE3D’s Director of Defense Programs, shared in a discussion with 3D Printing Industry that SPEE3D technology assists in having “more equipment in the fight, more of the time.”
The portability of WarpSPEE3D 3D printers, fitted within a standard shipping container, is particularly useful in battle settings. “Transport it, load it on a truck, set it up and have it operational within 45 minutes.” Stewart opines that, while feasible with cold spray, laser-based 3D printers cannot achieve this speed.
“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
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