SPEE3D brings its Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing to Japan with defence partnership

EquipmentNews
September 13, 2023

September 13, 2023

Byron Kennedy, CEO, SPEE3D (left) and Major General Norimichi Shirakawa, JGSDF (right) (Courtesy SPEE3D)
Byron Kennedy, CEO, SPEE3D (left) and Major General Norimichi Shirakawa, JGSDF (right) (Courtesy SPEE3D)

SPEE3D, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, has partnered with the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) to introduce its Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) technology to Japan. This contract with the Japan Ministry of Defence is said to be a significant milestone as SPEE3D continues to expand into the Asia-Pacific region.

THE WORLD OF METAL AM TO YOUR INBOX
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Sign up

The Japanese Self Defence Force will receive a WarpSPEE3D and an XSPEE3D. The WarpSPEE3D is SPEE3D’s first large-format metal Additive Manufacturing machine, capable of producing large metal parts quickly. The company’s latest model, XSPEE3D, provides a deployable metal Additive Manufacturing capability with SPEE3D’s patented Cold Spray AM technology and auxiliary equipment integrated within a single containerised shipping container unit. This enables industries operating remotely, such as defence, to build metal parts on-site and on-demand.

The XSPEE3D is a containerised and deployable cold spray metal Additive Manufacturing machine (Courtesy SPEE3D)
The XSPEE3D is a containerised and deployable cold spray metal Additive Manufacturing machine (Courtesy SPEE3D)

“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our presence into Japan and the APAC region. It is indeed an honour to collaborate with the Japanese military,” shared Byron Kennedy, CEO, SPEE3D. “Our aim is to train and prepare their forces to use the XSPEE3D printer in the field to address their most urgent supply chain issues through quickly manufactured on-demand parts.”

The SPEE3D technology has been utilised by various defence forces worldwide, including field trials by the Australian, US, and UK militaries. With this technology, Japan’s self-defence forces now possess the ability to manufacture critical replacement parts on demand in minutes or hours. This can be done using a range of materials, including aluminium 6061, aluminium bronze, copper, and stainless steel.

As part of the partnership, SPEE3D will provide the JGSDF with comprehensive training, support, and maintenance for both WarpSPEE3D and XSPEE3D. This includes field exercise programmes with the XSPEE3D, ensuring that Japan’s forces are well-equipped to fully utilise the potential of this technology in the field and on base.

www.spee3d.com

Download Metal AM magazine
Byron Kennedy, CEO, SPEE3D (left) and Major General Norimichi Shirakawa, JGSDF (right) (Courtesy SPEE3D)
EquipmentNews
September 13, 2023

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • Kennametal: The story of the successful commercialisation of AM hardmetal and steel solutions
  • General Atomics Aeronautical on metal Additive Manufacturing’s place at the centre of the digital manufacturing revolution
  • Adrian Keppler on Additive Manufacturing: An insider’s assessment from the outside
  • Metal AM’s journey to industrialisation: Are we there yet? And what does the destination even look like?
  • A stronger future, layer by layer: How next-generation software will drive adoption of metal AM
  • Volkmann: Making the case for the complete automation of powder handling in AM
  • Metal AM on an industrial scale: GKN Additive draws on decades of sintering expertise to commercialise Binder Jetting
  • International Conference on Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing: Highlights from EBAM 2023

The world of metal AM to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Sign up

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data
View online
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap