China3D printingMatterHackers, an award-winning supplier of 3D printers and filaments, has been awarded a five-year IDIQ contract valued at up to $5 million to provide fully-reliable 3D printers at U.S. Navy and Marine Corps bases in the U.S. and overseas. Deployed 3D printing system.
The deal, awarded by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), is reportedly the largest military contract ever for a desktop 3D printer, and will allow MatterHackers to deploy up to 75 Level 1 additive manufacturing systems by 2025. The system will include an Ultimaker S5 3D printer and industrial-grade filament, as well as supplemental IT support, maintenance strategies and on-site training.
“MatterHackers’ commitment to NAVAIR is not just about delivering 3D printers to the battlefield and warfighter, but providing ongoing training and personalized support to ensure the system is fully functional,” said Mara Hitner, VP of Strategic Partnerships.
“Especially with the variety of robust engineering-grade materials available in the ULTIMAKER S5, these systems will have an unprecedented impact on the ability of our warfighters to perform their jobs around the world.”
MatterHackers will supply Ultimaker S5 and materials to US Navy and Marine Corps bases. Photo via Ultimaker.
One stop shop for NAVAIR
As the nation’s leading retailer of desktop 3D printers and materials, MatterHackers is well-positioned to execute the NAVAIR contract due to its extensive supplier relationships and proven ability to coordinate complex logistics. In fact, MatterHackers has previously been awarded a contract to provide 3D printers and training to the IMEF Additive Manufacturing Training Center at Camp Pendleton.
As one of the largest Ultimaker resellers since 2015, MatterHackers sees the Ultimaker S5 as a suitable 3D printer for NAVAIR’s requirements for a number of reasons. This printer was chosen for its large build volume, extensive material catalogue compatible with NFC chips, IT security design options, and integration with Ultimaker’s Cura software.
“By earning the trust of some of the most demanding organizations in the world, Ultimaker has become the leading 3D printing platform,” said Jürgen von Hollen, CEO of Ultimaker. “Our Ultimaker S5 3D printing platform has been selected as the largest ever desktop 3D printing platform in the United States. This is particularly exciting as part of the largest military contract ever awarded to a printer.
Serving this critical sector and meeting the unique needs of the U.S. Navy and marine bases in the U.S. and abroad will drive 3D printing applications across all industries for years to come. “
Featured image shows the Ultimaker S5 system programmed using the company’s Essentials software package. Image via Ultimaker.
Provide practical training
In addition to contracting to supply NAVAIR with the Ultimaker S5 3D printer and industrial-grade materials, MatterHackers will provide on-the-ground training through its partner Building Momentum.
Building Momentum is an immersive training and interactive learning company that uses 3D printers as a standard tool in its training programs. The company will provide hands-on training for each Marine Corps base that receives a Tier 1 additive manufacturing system from MatterHackers, and will also provide follow-up training throughout the five-year contract, covering topics such as 3D printing using advanced materials and problem-solving.
Thomas Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of Building Momentum, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to train NAVAIR’s team on these 3D printers as we have seen firsthand the enormous impact they can have on impacting real change within the military and business. Over the years, our innovative training The camp training program has been widely successful, and 3D printing is a key part of that program.
We look forward to building a relationship with NAVAIR and continuing our commitment to hacking for the benefit of all parties. “
One of the early prototypes of a 3D printed antenna holder. Photo via NAVAIR.
NAVAIR continues to adopt AM
Under the five-year contract, multiple Ultimaker S5 desktop polymer systems will be deployed to NAVSEA’s Fleet Readiness Center, Maritime Aviation Logistics Squadron and its associated expeditionary forces. The agreement represents the first phase of NAVAIR’s three-tier approach to “putting additive manufacturing in the hands of the fleet”, with the other two tiers focused on industrial polymer and metal 3D printing systems. “IDIQ brings our warfighter the much-needed capability to print parts when needed,” said Robert Kimble, NAVAIR’s Director of Naval Sustainment.
NAVAIR has been utilizing 3D printing technology for some time, celebrating the first successful flight of an aircraft with 3D printed flight-critical components back in 2016. A year later, NAVAIR made a key requirement for life-saving 3D printed parts to be used inside the Goshawk training aircraft of its sister organization Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
exist In 2018, the group estimated it relied on about 1,000 3D-printed parts that were approved for use in its fleet. Since then, NAVAIR has developed 3D printed antenna mounts for the U.S. Navy’s MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, and has also invested in additive manufacturing data specialist Senvol to further develop its machine learning software to optimize 3D printed parts and processes.
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