Xerox installs first ElemX Liquid Metal printer at US Naval Postgraduate School
February 4, 2021
Xerox, headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA, has announced the installation of its first ElemX Liquid Metal Additive Manufacturing machine at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey, California, USA. As part of a collaborative research and development agreement, NPS aims to explore new ways the technology can deliver on-demand metal parts and equipment, with the potential to dramatically transform the way the military supplies its forces.
“The military supply chain is among the most complex in the world, and NPS understands first-hand the challenges manufacturers must address,” stated Naresh Shanker, Xerox Chief Technology Officer. “This collaboration will aid NPS in pushing adoption of 3D printing throughout the U.S. Navy, and will provide Xerox valuable information to help deliver supply chain flexibility and resiliency to future customers.”
Xerox entered the AM market for the first time in February 2019, when it acquired metal AM company Vader Systems. With the acquisition of Vader, the company gained its liquid metal process along with additional Additive Manufacturing technology.
With access to the latest AM equipment, NPS faculty and students will use the ElemX machine to conduct thesis research to develop new capabilities for the Navy and Marine Corps.
“As the Department of the Navy’s applied research university, NPS combines student operational experience with education and research to deliver innovative capabilities and develop innovative leaders with the knowhow to use them,” added Ann Rondeau, NPS president retired Vice Admiral. “This partnership is about the strategic ability of the Navy to have sailors on ships with the capability through creativity and technology to advance their operations at sea. Through collaboration, NPS and Xerox are helping build a Navy for the 21st Century.”
“Global supply chains leave industries like aerospace, automotive, heavy equipment, and oil and gas vulnerable to external risks,” said Tali Rosman, vice president and General Manager, 3D Printing, Xerox. “Our goal is to integrate localised 3D printing into their operations, and the real-time feedback from NPS gives us actionable data to continuously improve the ElemX.”
