Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) was recently awarded a US $5.2 million contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to build the world’s largest additive manufacturing machine. SLM Solutions will construct this machine as a 12-laser metal printer with military applications in mind.
The project aims to overcome the limitations of current 3D printing technology in order to create longer parts for critical defence applications.
SLM Solutions’ 12-laser metal printer
CTC is collaborating with SLM Solutions NA, Inc. (U.S. office), who has been named as a project subcontractor, to construct this industrial metal 3D printer with a 1.5-meter build envelope in the Z-axis. SLM Solutions will develop a large 12-laser metal printer. The new machine will be known as the NXG XII 600E, and it is currently being developed as part of a 5.2 million USD contract with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Concurrent Technologies Corporation is a non-profit applied scientific research and development organisation capable of designing, developing, testing, prototyping, and building new solutions that ‘protect national security and retain US technological advantage.’
According to Edward J. Sheehan, Jr., President and CEO, CTC, “We are excited to play a role in this ground-breaking AM advancement. The technical work we are performing for this project includes elements of CTC’s full-service portfolio of AM capabilities including design, testing, post processing, machining, and qualification.”
“Partnering with CTC, a premier research and development company, will help us achieve the goal to create a new AM capability. We look forward to collaborating on an AM machine that will work much faster than existing equipment and feature the largest build envelope in the industry by far.”
– Sam O’Leary, CEO, SLM Solutions
This news follows the high-profile acquisition of SLM Solutions by Nikon Corporation earlier this month.
About Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC): Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) is an independent, non-profit organisation that provides professional services in applied scientific research and development. CTC works with its technology transition affiliate, Enterprise Ventures Corporation, to provide transformative, full lifecycle solutions through R&D, testing, and evaluation.
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