3D Systems earned a $7.65 million U.S. Air Force contract to supply a large-format, metal 3D printer Advanced Technology Demonstrator. According to the supplier’s announcement, the contract involves the next phase of a research program 3D Systems joined two years ago, involving development of “large-scale, high-speed, flight relevant additive manufacturing print capabilities.”
Details about the project’s results to-date were not provided.
The additive manufacturing developer has been active in projects supporting U.S. Dept. of Defense activities for more than five years.
3D Systems’ direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technology applies high-precision laser power to metal/alloy powders to convert CAD data into successive layers that form complex metal parts, for product development or series production.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made thus far in our collaboration with the U.S. Air Force,” stated Dr. Michael Shepard, vice president, Aerospace & Defense segment. “We‘ve successfully demonstrated a number of innovative technologies under this program and it’s exciting to see those technologies mature both for this large-scale system as well as our commercially available printers.”
The contracted work will be pursued at 3D Systems’ San Diego and Rock Hill, S.C., locations, through late September 2027.
This contract builds upon 3D Systems’ history of working in support of the U.S. Department of Defense since 2019 for the advancement of additive manufacturing.