SPEE3D Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing successful in sub-zero
December 19, 2024
SPEE3D, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, has announced that its containerised XSPEE3D Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing machine has successfully operated in sub-zero environments, reportedly producing parts with material properties comparable to the same parts produced in the laboratory.
The trial was undertaken as part of a project focused on developing, demonstrating, and testing SPEE3D’s Cold Spray Metal Additive Manufacturing technology, along with partners from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) COMET Project and Philips Federal, under the remit of the US Office of The Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology’s Point of Need Challenge (PON).
The PON project was managed by LIFT, the Detroit-based Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institute, and it concluded that the XSPEE3D machine is well-suited to support the DOD’s goal of expanding expeditionary manufacturing capabilities in extreme cold weather environments for battle damage repair and large metal component production.
“The positive results of the Point of Need Challenge demonstrate that the XSPEE3D can print metal parts from anywhere – and in any weather conditions – with the same successful outcomes,” said Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D. “Previously, we partnered with the Australian Army and showed that our technology can print parts in the extremely hot, rugged Australian bush. Now, we’re proving that we can also successfully print parts in the coldest of environments, helping to support the DOD’s goal of expanding manufacturing capabilities in austere environments.”
The US Army’s Cold Region’s Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) hosted the PON challenge in Hanover, New Hampshire in late 2023. The programme showcased technologies intended to keep military service members combat-effective in extreme temperatures and exhibited technologies that can be deployed in a cold-weather environment. These machines are able to close supply chain gaps and enable soldiers to manufacture and use critical equipment on demand..
“The Point of Need challenge winners have proven to be champions of research and innovation and are helping drive the United States military’s technological advantage through the latest in advanced materials and manufacturing process technologies,” said Noel Mack, Chief Technology Officer, LIFT. “Through SPEE3D’s innovative work, they have proven that not only does the technology to support the warfighter exists, but it can be placed closer to where they need it to achieve their missions successfully.”
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