MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 4, 2023 – SPEE3D is pleased to announce, that the U.S. Department of Defense via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative are to provide Ukraine with seven of SPEE3D’s WarpSPEE3D printers. These machines will be deployed near the frontlines, with a primary focus on the rapid production of critical repair parts for a variety of armored platforms and aging military equipment systems. Making Ukraine the latest defense force to use SPEE3D technology to produce critical replacement “parts of consequence” in the field at the point of need.
“We’re focused on giving Ukrainian soldiers resources to fortify the maintenance and repair capabilities when and where it counts most ..Our metal 3D printers will allow Ukrainian soldiers to manufacture metal parts at the point of need and in real-time so critical equipment can stay in the fight.” Chris Harris, VP of Defense for SPEE3D.
During Project Convergence 2022, WarpSPEE3D showcased how SPEE3D’s patented cold-spray technology can effectively support military supply chains. In the harsh desert conditions, of Fort Irwin, the SPEE3D and British Army team used WarpSPEE3D to print an M109 specialist tool at the request of the US Army. This specialist tool was able to be designed in just 9 minutes. It was then printed in 30 minutes and heat-treated in just under two hours all while in the field. Ready for use in as little as 3 hours. SPEE3D’s partnership with the British Army represents its commitment to enhancing the supply chain operations of defense forces globally with advanced manufacturing technology (AM).
SPEE3D’s deployable metal 3D printers are WarpSPEE3D and XSPEE3D. Both printers utilize patented cold-spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) technology, specifically suited for frontline environments, as it does not rely on lasers or gases. Instead, it utilizes kinetic energy to bond metal particles together, resulting in the creation of the final part. This unique method means WarpSPEE3D and XSPEE3D printers are exceptionally fast, energy-efficient, and capable of producing large parts of up to 1 meter in diameter or weighing up to 40kg, all while working with various metals. The XSPEE3D was specifically engineered for military use, developed in partnership with the Australian Army during their groundbreaking metal 3D printing field trials in 2020 and 2021.
Over a span of 15 days, the soldiers underwent rigorous training that covered a wide array of topics, from engineering design theory and risk management processes to metallurgy and printer operation.
“By training Ukrainian soldiers and engineers to leverage metal 3D printing, we’re not only enabling them to print a part—we’re giving them tools to solve critical problems …. This cutting-edge technology allows broken and damaged machinery to be repaired in hours—offering a significant advantage for Ukraine. Having WarpSPEE3D metal 3D printers in the country and readily available equates to a significant advantage when replacement parts are not accessible, which is often the case in theater.” Calum Stewart, Director of Defense Programs, EMEA.
We and the Department of Defense will train soldiers to maintain and repair military equipment and salvage machinery. As a result, military personnel will now have the ability to print parts of consequence, large and small, that could otherwise halt an advance or cripple an operation. Deployable metal 3D printers can fabricate damaged parts quickly with SPEE3D’s proprietary and patented cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) technology.
We have collaborated in the past with the Japanese, US and UK Defense Forces, who have acquired SPEE3D’s technology and participated in various land, and sea field trials – REPTX. Later this year, the technology will also be trialed by the US Army for the DoD Point of Need Challenge. The deployment of SPEE3D’s printers in Ukraine is expected to leverage the military readiness of the Ukraine Defense Forces supply chain.
About SPEE3D
SPEE3D is a leading metal additive manufacturing technology company dedicated to the research, development, and delivery of metal 3D printers and integrated systems utilizing its patented Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) technology. As a result, the SPEE3D portfolio offers significantly faster production than traditional metal manufacturing methods and offers a wide range of metals, including Aluminum, Aluminum Bronze, Stainless Steel, and Copper. More information on SPEE3D can be found at: https://spee3d.com.
