Australian metal 3D printer manufacturer Titomic Limited has announced that the land branch of the Royal Netherlands Army, the Koninklijke Landmacht, has ordered ten of its D523 Cold Spray 3D printers.
Nine of these systems will be delivered to the Ukrainian military to support the nation’s ongoing war efforts against Russia. The D523 3D printers will be deployed near the front lines to enable in-field battle damage repair and maintenance at the point of need. This will reportedly improve battle readiness and extend mission capability.
Titomic’s largest D523 order to date, the total sales value of the deal is €772,000 (approximately AU$1.28 million). The delivery of the ten 3D printers is expected to begin over the coming months.
The firm claims that the order represents a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to expand within the global defense sector.
“This order from the Royal Netherlands Army marks a pivotal moment for Titomic, showcasing our D523 System’s ability to provide versatile repair and maintenance solutions on a large scale and creating a significant revenue opportunity,” commented Herbert Koeck, Titomic’s Managing Director.
Titomic’s D523 Cold Spray 3D printer. Photo via Titomic.
Titomic announces largest D523 3D printer order to date
Founded back in 2014, Titomic is primarily focused on the development and commercialization of its proprietary Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) process.
A form of cold spray 3D printing, TFK fires metal powder at high velocity toward a substrate or metal part. After colliding with the surface, the powder particles deform and bond, creating layers. This process can be used to fabricate metal parts from scratch or build onto existing parts.
Incorporating this technology, the D523 is billed as a low-pressure cold spray system optimized for the on-site, on-demand coating and repair of metal parts. Weighing just 43kg and measuring 220 x 1420 x 266mm, the 3D printer is ideal for defense applications that require frequent transportation and relocation.
According to Titomic Limited, the new order represents a notable revenue opportunity and enhances the company’s position within the global aerospace and defense verticals. Following the announcement, the firm’s share price increased from $0.049 AUD to a high of $0.068 AUD on 26 March 2024.
Titomic is now working to secure similar deals with other militaries around the globe, including the Australian Defence Force. “This is a stride forward in our ongoing efforts to bring these innovative solutions to a wider market,” stated Koeck. “Titomic is aiming to attract more large-scale orders from innovators across various sectors in the coming months, including resources, defense, and aerospace, who are eager to leverage the advanced capabilities Titomic offers.”
The firm has already showcased its cold spray 3D printing technology through several successful demonstrations within Australia, demonstrating its suitability for a range of military and defense applications.
The Royal Netherlands Army’s Colonel C Heukers has stated that this order marks a clear shift toward the practical implementation of additive manufacturing within the nation’s military.
“This move signifies our unwavering commitment to leveraging advanced capabilities in real-world applications,” commented Heukers. “By providing these innovative technologies to Ukrainian forces, we demonstrate our trust in their ability to swiftly adopt and effectively utilize these tools to enhance military capabilities.”
Titomic’s Managing Director Herbert Koeck is leading the company’s expansion.
Metal AM bolsters defense capabilities
The use of metal 3D printing technology to support military operations is growing. Notably, Titomic’s cold spray systems are among the resources being dispatched to assist Ukraine’s war efforts.
In the previous year, another Australian metal 3D printer manufacturer, SPEE3D, reported that it delivered seven of its WarpSPEE3D cold spray 3D printers to Ukraine as part of the US Department of Defence’s (DoD) Ukraine Security Assistance initiative. According to Calum Stewart, SPEE3D’s Director of Defense Programs, these printers are stationed close to the frontlines to manufacture crucial substitute “parts of consequence.”
The company also conducted a 15-day training course in Poland, imparting the relevant skills on a number of Ukrainian personnel on using the 3D printer in battle conditions. Stewart stated that SPEE3D’s overarching objective in Ukraine is to increase the availability of functional equipment at all times. This mainly includes “parts of consequence,” which refer to any component that obstructs a platform’s operation and is not readily supplied by the existing supply chains.
Another enterprise that has shipped its metal 3D printers to Ukraine is Essentium, working in collaboration with KVG to install its High-Speed Extrusion (HSE) 3D printers at various sites in Ukraine.
Similar to SPEE3D, essential training was additionally provided on location to the Ukrainian military, ensuring the consistent and dependable manufacturing of key parts. As stated by both enterprises, the 3D printers are improving Ukraine’s defense readiness, enabling the swift production of essential elements where they’re most needed.
Read More: Titomic Secures Largest D523 3D Printer Order to Aid Ukraine's War Efforts - 3D Printing News