Aurora Labs and Gränges AB execute MoU on aluminium Additive Manufacturing
July 8, 2019
Aurora Labs has executed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gränges AB. From left to right; Carl Rodling (Gränges), David Budge (Aurora Labs), Richard Westergård (Gränges) (Courtesy Aurora Labs Ltd)
Aurora Labs Ltd, Bibra Lake, Australia, has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gränges AB, a global company focused on advanced aluminium products for heat exchangers and niche applications, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Aurora entered the MoU through its wholly-owned subsidiary A3D Operations Pty Ltd.
The MoU will reportedly provide a framework for potential future transactions between the companies in relation to:
- Gränges’ pre-order of an Aurora RMP1 metal Additive Manufacturing system
- The supply of Gränges’ proprietary aluminium powder to Aurora Labs
- The engagement of Aurora to conduct research and development projects for Gränges regarding the use of aluminium in AM
- Collaboration in market research to better understand opportunities for the use of aluminium in AM for the automotive and other industries
The MoU is to operate for a term of up to five years. David Budge, Aurora Labs’ Managing Director, stated, “This is a remarkable relationship for Aurora and we are very pleased to partner with Gränges, a forward-thinking and innovative company with products extensively placed across the automotive sector.”
“The proposed transactions, if consummated, could potentially be worth up to approximately US$7.75 million in revenue to Aurora,” he continued. “Further, if Gränges purchases one of our RMP1s, it will lead to some exciting and innovative developments in both the internal combustion engine and electric vehicle markets. Aurora is expecting to see enormous growth in Additive Manufacturing through the automotive sector in coming years.”
Aurora Labs RMP-1
Aurora Labs’ RMP1 metal Additive Manufacturing system (Courtesy Aurora Labs Ltd)
The RMP1 uses Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology in combination with Aurora Labs’ patented Multi-layer Concurrent Printing (MCP) technology to achieve speeds said to be significantly faster than those achievable by single-layer L-PBF. This technology allows the machine’s multi-laser system to operate over multiple powder layers in parallel.
Aurora Labs announced that it had finalised the build and first live test of the RMP1 Beta Printer in early May 2019. The system has a 450 x 400 mm build plate and is said to be capable of additively manufacturing parts at ten times the volume of the company’s previous test system, the Alpha2, as well as having three times the processing capacity.
According to Aurora Labs, parameters for the initial AM materials, having already been developed on the Alpha systems and only require minimal testing for the RMP1 Beta Printer to allow rapid commercialisation. Along with the upgraded design, these tests were expected to prove the speed increase of the RMP1 Beta system over the Alpha2.
