WAM® Technology evaluation for naval shipbuilding

AML3D’S WAM® TECHNOLOGY IDENTIFIED AS POTENTIAL PLATFORM FOR USE IN NAVAL SHIPBUILDING ENDEAVOUR
Highlights
  • ASC Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of BAE Systems Australia is contracted by the Department of Defence to design and build nine Hunter class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy
  • ASC Shipbuilding has identified AML3D’s WAM® as a technology with the potential to participate in its shipbuilding activities
  • A commercial evaluation program for Additive Manufacturing initiated by ASC Shipbuilding will test parts manufactured using AML’s proprietary WAM® process
AML3D Limited (ASX: AL3) (“AML3D” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the commencement of a Manufacturing Evaluation Program with ASC Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of BAE Systems Australia.

In December 2018, ASC Shipbuilding was awarded the contract to design and build nine Hunter class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy.  To drive innovation, ASC Shipbuilding is focused on unearthing new technologies that maximise the cost-effectiveness of local manufacturing, while minimising lead-times for ship sustainment within Australia. Through this endeavour, ASC Shipbuilding has identified AML3D’s Wire Additive Manufacturing (“WAM®”) technology as a potential platform that could deliver such efficiencies and will undertake commercial evaluation and testing of WAM®.

Under the initial commercial evaluation and validation testing program, AML3D will utilise WAM® to produce various geometric parts in a range of metal alloys with the objective to meet BAE’s internal standards for additive manufactured components.

Results of testing will be used by ASC Shipbuilding to determine whether WAM® is a suitable manufacturing solution to support the continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment sovereign capability as laid out in the Australian Government’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan.

AML3D is confident that WAM® will satisfy ASC Shipbuilding’s testing protocols for this initial stage evaluation. Given the scale of ASC Shipbuilding’s shipbuilding initiatives, progression to a commercial relationship would be of great significance to AML3D.

Mr Andrew Sales, AML3D’s Managing Director commented:

“We are pleased to commence this project with ASC Shipbuilding. Having the stringent customer evaluation of AML3D’s proprietary wire additive manufacturing process will not only enhance exposure of our technology for Marine and Defence applications, but the successful endeavour would lead to a sustainable local shipbuilding industry for future generations.”

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of AML3D®.

Source: AL3 – BAE_ASC Manufacturing Research PDF, Company News, Press Release

About AML3D Limited

AML3D Limited is an Australian public company incorporated on 14 November 2014 and currently operates out of its Adelaide Contract Manufacturing Centre. The Company specialises in providing commercial large-scale metal 3D printing services to defence, maritime, aerospace and resources customers. The Company has commercialised its technology under the trademark WAM® and proprietary software WAMSoft® which combines metallurgical science and engineering design to fully automate the 3D printing process utilising advanced robotics technology.