DED produces titanium alloy body armor, AML3D and Lightforce are committed to the commercialization of 3D printed body armor

Guide: August 24, 2021, Metal3D printingMachine OEMAML3DAnd defense product developer Lightforce recently announced the extension of its next-generation3D printingThe second phase test of the prototype titanium alloy body armor.The project started in December 2019, when AML3D and Lightforce signed a cooperation agreement. As early as December 2020, they had announced the success of the first phase of the test, and now they have paved the way for more test parameter opportunities. The initial test scope will now be expanded to this broader scope. The ultimate goal of AML3D and Lightforce is to commercialize the product.

AndrewSales, general manager of AML3D, said: “The global body armor market is huge and growing, so it is important for us to consolidate a foothold in this market. Our team is developing a new generation of tailor-made titanium alloy body armor. The work done on the early prototypes allowed AML3D to enter the next stage of manufacturing and testing in cooperation with Lightforce. This is indeed our credit.”

△The AML3DArcemy system uses the company’s WAM 3D printingTechnology is being used to make titanium alloy body armor. Photo from AML3D

AML 3D arc manufacturing

According to AML3D, by 2028, the global body armor market is expected to exceed 3.5 billion U.S. dollars, which is brought about by the intensification of global conflicts and advances in modern manufacturing technology.In particular, these companies expect an increase in the demand for custom tailored armor products that can be used by soldiers’ torsos3D scanningTo create a specific ergonomic bulletproof suit.

The early prototypes of titanium alloy body armor used AML3D’s patented wire arc manufacturing (WAM) process.3D printing, Which is based on the principle of Directed Energy Deposition (DED)3D printingtechnology. WAM combines electric arc and welding wire as raw materials to manufacture large-scale and free-form parts. This technology is particularly suitable for the production of customized parts using high-performance materials (such as titanium).
In addition to the performance advantages, use3D printingThe technology can also greatly reduce emissions and reduce material waste compared with traditional manufacturing technologies, especially in low prototype quantities.

△WAM in progress 3D printing. Photo from AML3D

Will be customized3D printingCommercialization of body armor

Once AML3D has completed all the upcoming test procedures, the body armor prototype will undergo rigorous repeatability testing under various conditions and its ballistic performance will be fully evaluated. Then, Lightforce will focus on the commercialization of the product and look for new business opportunities to bring it to the market. The manufacturing and testing of the prototype is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022.

The sales department added: “We have the internal ability and strength to undertake the commercialization of tailor-made titanium alloy body armor, and believe that our prototype quality in this next round of manufacturing and testing will bring further successful results. This latest development follows the strong performance of AML3D during the year, as we have transformed from the early development stage of our business model to a sustainable and substantial
income
Growing company. “

Additive manufacturing is increasingly being used in defense applications. Just this month,aviationThe manufacturer Boeing has made progress, for the first time on a Chinook helicopter.3D printingFlight test of key flight components of the company. As part of the demonstration of the T408 engine, the flight test saw that the Chinook was carried by Boeing (the OEM behind the aircraft)3D printingThe aluminum gearbox housing is flying.

△Boeing CH-47 “Chinook”

Elsewhere, composite materials3D printingContinuous Composites, the developer of the technology, recently won a $750,000 small business innovation research (SBIR) contract for the second phase of the Department of Defense (DoD). Continuous Composites, together with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), will work on3D printingMultifunctional composite wing structure for use in retractable (low-cost, disposable) unmanned aircraft.

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DED produces titanium alloy body armor, AML3D and Lightforce are committed to the commercialization of 3D printed body armor

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