NEXT-GEN BODY ARMOUR PROGRAM PROGRESSES TO STAGE 2
Highlights
- AML3D enters Stage 2 with Lightforce in the development of next-generation, ‘made-to-fit’ titanium body armour
- Under Stage 2, AML3D will develop additional prototypes to undertake repeatability ballistics testing
- Lightforce is a developer and manufacturer of defence solutions with operations in Australia and the United States
- Body armour market is expected to exceed US$3.0bn by 20251
AML3D Limited (ASX:AL3) (‘AML3D’ or ‘the Company’) is pleased to announce it has progressed to Stage 2 in the development of next-generation, ‘made-to-fit’ titanium body armour with Lightforce Australia Pty Ltd (‘Lightforce’).
AML3D’s Wire Arc Manufacturing (‘WAM®’) possesses a unique capability to efficiently print bespoke body armour, a function not possible using traditional subtractive techniques (forging, casting). This capability may facilitate the development of a new product range, whereby the torso of a soldier is scanned to manufacture a ‘made-to-fit’ solution. This innovative, world-first offering will be a true disruptor in an industry that is expected to exceed US$3.0bn by 2025 (CAGR of 5.5%).1
Progression to Stage 2 follows excellent results from Stage 1 product testing2 and enhances the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) and the pathway to commercialisation.
Under Stage 2, AML3D will develop additional prototypes to undertake repeatability ballistics testing. The prototypes will be of varying thicknesses and finished with a range of techniques and/or treatments to further enhance ballistic performance. These tests will enable AML3D to optimise the design in an effort to deliver the lightest and strongest solution on the market.
The purchase order to produce the Stage 2 prototypes to provide to Lightforce for testing is valued at $50k+GST, on usual commercial purchase order terms including 30 day payment.
Finalisation of Stage 2 will signify the end of the testing phase under the MoU. Given the results to date, AML3D is confident that these subsequent tests will be successful, leading to the initiation of commercial discussions.
In the event of commercialisation, the scale of opportunity combined with Lightforce’s established customer base has the potential to result in significant contract manufacturing revenues.
Mr Andrew Sales, AML3D’s Managing Director comments:
“We’re excited to progress to Stage 2 with Lightforce in the development of a disruptive, world-first product offering. We’re confident that our highly qualified team will be able to deliver a range of prototypes that meet or exceed Lightforce’s required specifications.” Mr Sales added,
“Post the recent capital raise, AML3D is now well capitalised to fulfil the demands of opportunities such as Lightforce, which have the potential to deliver significant contract manufacturing revenues.”
Source: AML3D commences first program of work for AdditiveNow PDF, Press Release, Company News
1: Grandviewresearch.com – Global body armor market
2: Excellent results from next-gen body armour testing for Lightforce – 29 July 2020
About AML3D
AML3D Limited, a publicly listed technology company founded in 2014, utilises new technologies to pioneer and lead metal additive manufacturing globally. Disrupting the traditional manufacturing space, AML3D has developed and patented a Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM®) process that metal 3D prints commercial, large-scale parts for Aerospace, Defence, Maritime, Manufacturing, Mining and Oil & Gas. AML3D provides parts contract manufacturing from its Technology Centre in Adelaide, Australia, and is the OEM of ARCEMY®, an industrial metal 3D printing system that combines IIoT and Industry 4.0 to enable manufacturers to become globally competitive.