SPEE3D and Austal USA rely on cold spray technology for maritime applications

SPEE3D, a metal additive manufacturing company, announced that Austal USA Advanced Technologies (Austal USA AT) has purchased a WarpSPEE3D printer to advance the development of additive manufacturing applications. Austal USA AT, which specializes in innovative technologies for defense and maritime applications, is leading efforts to strengthen the U.S. Navy’s supply chain through the use of additive manufacturing technologies.

Austal USA AT leads a team of industry partners and operates the Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Virginia. This center is the U.S. Navy’s central facility for additive manufacturing and supports the construction and maintenance of the fleet. Austal USA AT’s commitment is focused on expanding post-delivery support offerings to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.

“We are excited to be working with SPEE3D at the Navy’s Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence,” said Scott Kasen, Austal USA AT Director of Advanced Technologies. “The very high deposition rates of cold spray technology make it an exciting technology for manufacturing large parts, and process improvements with the SPEE3D system could provide additional opportunities for manufacturing traditionally molded parts.”

SPEE3D’s proprietary Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) technology enables the production of metallic parts on-site and on-demand, at build speeds of up to 100 g/min. This technology significantly speeds up prototyping and product development and reduces downtime. The WarpSPEE3D printer utilizes SPEE3D’s patented technology to enable faster and more scalable production compared to traditional processes. Parts up to 40 kg in weight and 1 m x 0.7 m in diameter can be produced in a matter of hours instead of days.

“SPEE3D is excited to support Austal USA Advanced Technologies with its additive manufacturing capabilities,” said Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D. “We have worked successfully with the U.S. Navy in the past and understand the unique challenges they face with the need for fast, reliable and easily deployable manufacturing capabilities. Our partnership with Austal USA furthers this commitment to meet the ever-changing manufacturing needs of the marine industry.”