US Navy additively manufactures high-strength aluminium alloy at sea with ADDiTEC ElemX
October 23, 2024
ADDiTEC, Palm City, Florida, USA, has announced that the US Navy has successfully used a containerised ElemX liquid metal Additive Manufacturing machine to produce functional parts in situ aboard the USS San Diego. The parts were subsequently evaluated for quality and performance, with results indicating the components were fully functional for their intended applications.
“We are thrilled with the performance of the ElemX 3D printer,” stated Dr Garth Hobson, Director of the Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing, Research and Education, at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. “The ease of use and the quality of the printed parts exceeded our expectations. This technology represents a significant enhancement in our ability to maintain and repair equipment while at sea.”
The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and the Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing, Research and Education (CAMRE) is collaborating with ADDiTEC to demonstrate the operational benefits of Additive Manufacturing in naval environments, with a focus on high-strength aluminium alloys like Al-6061. The research also explores the broader implications of AM in enhancing the US Navy’s adaptability and supply chain resilience in remote or combat settings.
“We have worked tirelessly to ensure that our 3D printing technologies meets the specific needs of maritime operations, and we are working to continuously enhance their reliability and efficiency, ensuring they are fully mission-ready for any operational demands.” said Brian Mathews, ADDiTEC’s CEO. “Seeing our efforts come to fruition with the successful printing of functional parts at sea is incredibly rewarding. We remain dedicated to our ongoing collaboration with the Navy, focusing on advancing LMJ technology within our innovative new Hybrid Series, which seamlessly integrates both additive and subtractive manufacturing capabilities into a single machine.
The ability to additively manufacture high-strength aluminium alloy parts on demand could represent a transformative shift in how the US Navy manages its resources and address maintenance challenges. This advancement can improve operational readiness whilst reducing dependency on traditional supply chains, mitigating contested logistics scenarios by providing a strategic advantage for expeditionary and distributed maritime forces.