SPEE3D demonstrates rapid Additive Manufacturing at US Marine Corps ITX exercise
August 3, 2023
SPEE3D, based in Melbourne, Australia, announced its successful participation in the Marine Corps Annual Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 4-23 last month. The event was a live-fire exercise that combines infantry, artillery, aircraft, combat logistics, and all supporting elements to train battalion and squadron-sized units in the tactical application of combined-arms manoeuvre, offensive, and defensive operations during combat. SPEE3D was reportedly the only Additive Manufacturing company participating in this event.
ITX involved a series of progressive exercises that assessed the ability and adaptability of a force of more than 3,700 marines and sailors over one month. SPEE3D’s WarpSPEE3D was deployed to additively manufacture crucial parts that were broken, which were then brought from ground support at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California, and flown to the live fire Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. SPEE3D has previously participated in multiple military field trials with the US, UK, and Australian militaries.
“Our involvement in ITX 4-23 is yet another testament to our commitment to partnering with the military worldwide to provide the best outcomes for rapidly printing 3D metal parts where they are needed the most: near the warfighter,” said Chris Harris, Americas Vice President of Defense for SPEE3D. “It’s an honour to be invited, and we look forward to working with the United States Marines Corps for future training events.”
Chris Curran, Program Manager for the Consortium for Additive Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE), shared, “For two consecutive weeks during Integrated Training Exercise 4-23 with the US Marine Corps Forces Reserve, SPEE3D repeatedly demonstrated their ability to 3D print metal replacement parts, outdoors, in an expeditionary environment. What was impactful was their ability to produce parts in a matter of hours – not days – which could potentially offer warfighters and maintainers a competitive advantage in a contested environment.”
Military and defence require on-demand technology to quickly produce parts from well-known metal alloys to address real-time needs in-theatre, helping maximise availability while minimising downtime. It was stated that WarpSPEE3D is the first large-format metal Additive Manufacturing machine to use SPEE3D’s patented Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) technology, which, the company claims, enables fast, cost-effective, and scalable production.
Additionally, SPEE3D offers XSPEE3D, explicitly designed for military use. This variant houses the Additive Manufacturing machine and auxiliary equipment in a portable metal shipping container.
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