AML3D and QPE Advanced Machining collaborate, providing a 100% Sovereign Capability manufacturing solution for industry
Exhibiting at Land Forces, Australia’s premier international land defence exposition, Adelaide-based manufacturers AML3D and QPE showcase to industry how metal 3D printing and precision machining expertise combine to improve Australian Industry Capability
AML3D and QPE Advanced Machining announce collaboration to manufacture metal parts to local and international markets.
Both companies’ locality provides a unique opportunity to illustrate their joined expertise in metal 3D printing and precision machining; their capability to deliver projects of varying complexity that require a fast lead time with superior material properties. This innovative approach to part manufacture is especially relevant to manufacturing programs requiring prototyping, small to large run part manufacture, replacements, and upgrades commonly seen in the defence supply chain and other critical industries as medical and aerospace.
With AML3D’s patent-pending Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM®) process, clients can now metal 3D print part designs not previously achievable through traditional casting or subtractive techniques, including hollow inserts, structural filling patterns and many other design innovations. Most metal 3D parts require further finishing to complete the manufacturing process to achieve their final form and function. This process can be undertaken by QPE with their CNC milling expertise.
WAM® printed stainless steel propeller, one of the unique show pieces that will be on display at Land Forces ’21
The product journey starts with the AML3D engineering team, where they gather initial project information and client-specific requirements and standards. The part is then optimised for the WAM® process using Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) and proprietary software, WAMSoft® and AMLSoft® as part of the pre-form process.
The project is then allocated to an ARCEMY® Production Cell, and metal 3D printed using AML3D’s WAM® method. Once printed, the parts are material properties tested based on the standards appropriate for the part and any metallurgical requirements per compulsory industry specifications. Upon successful testing, the part is outsourced for surface finishing.
With in-house engineers, QPE can review the CAD draft and program one of its 5-axis CNC milling machines that best accommodate the shape and size requirements of the project.
After surface machining is complete, the part is polished and carefully inspected for critical precision against the original draft and project initial requirements. Only after those quality checks are completed is the piece ready for dispatch to the client.
Grant Tinney, QPE’s CEO, says, “We’re excited to collaborate with AML3D to explore applications across many industry sectors we are involved in, but particularly defence. Our strength in precision machining and fabrication, coupled with AML3D’s expertise in wire additive manufacturing makes this the ideal partnership.
We see the collaboration between both companies as a step in solving the question of localisation of Australian manufacturing capabilities. We are very confident we are future-proofing our whole industry, moving faster and decreasing reliance on overseas suppliers.”
Mr Andrew Sales, AML3D’s CEO, comments, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to deliver our part contract manufacturing solutions with the support of precision machinists such as QPE. Industry collaborations provide the ability to increase Australia’s manufacturing self-sufficiency, creating a sustainable manufacturing industry for the future.
We are highly confident that working with suppliers like QPE will continue to help us deliver a range of parts that exceed our customer’s expectations and their required project specifications.”
Clients are invited to talk personally to our senior officers at our joint stand, 4C3 located in Hall 4, at the Land Forces expo and ask both companies everything regarding advanced manufacturing and precision metal parts.
A selection of the AML3D WAM® printed parts, precision machined by QPE that will be on display at Land Forces ’21
AML3D Land Forces ’21 Media Release PDF, Company News, Press Release
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.