这澳大利亚军队has conducted its latest set of field tests using metal 3D printing technology developed byspee3d。
在去年进行了几次3D打印试验之后, the latest tests were conducted as part of Exercise Koolendong, an annual military exercise between the Australian Army and the海洋旋转力量 - 达尔文。Performed in remote bushland in the Northern Territory, the field tests involved 3D printing and replacing a number of spare parts for the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier using the company’s WarpSPEE3D Tactile 3D printer.
根据Spee3D的说法，这是该系统迄今为止最严重的磨难之一，在三周的时间内在极端高温和尘土飞扬的情况下进行。WarpsPee3D在粗糙的地形上也被运输到1200公里以上，以测试其在野外的崎gedness。
拜伦肯尼迪SPEE3D首席执行官说:“这是great example of how expeditionary Metal 3D Printing can improve Defence readiness. Field trials conducted in 2020 proved SPEE3D technology was deployable. This year’s trial extension was bigger, longer, and more remote, making it the worlds’ toughest and longest metal 3D printing trial so far.”
Spee3D的冷喷雾3D打印技术
spee3dspecializes in cold spray technology, a form of 3D printing that involves spraying a metal powder onto a substrate at high speeds. The process doesn’t rely on lasers or any other heat-based energy sources, leveraging the power of kinetic energy instead.
这WarpSPEE3D, in particular, jets metal powder out using a compressed gas stream, giving the feedstock enough velocity to deform and fuse with the substrate upon impact. It’s capable of printing large metal parts up to 40kg in mass, at rapid speeds of up to 100 grams/minute.
一段时间以来雷电竞充值initial plans and strategies dating back to 2014。Owing to its Australian background, SPEE3D was eventually chosen to work with the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy to make on-demand 3D printing possible for the Australian Defence Force.
这2020 trials were reportedly a world-first在测试金属3D打印在营房和田野中的可行性时。它们被扩展到2021年，以验证最初成功的结果。
这2021 field test
今年，SPEE3D一直在努力帮助训练澳大利亚军队的第一组军事增材牢房（AMC）技术人员。雷电竞充值该计划是生产一支劳动力，专门从事设计，印刷，加工，热处理以及对现场的金属3D打印零件的认证。
As part of the latest trial, the AMC technicians were tasked with producing several different replacement components for the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier. This included an exhaust pipe and a 2kg wheel bearing cover – a part that often sustains significant damage as a result of rough terrain and trees. The team was able to 3D print a replacement cover in just 29 minutes for less than $100, and integrate it into the vehicle after a successful certification procedure.
这澳大利亚军队now intends to explore the 3D printing, upgrade, and repair of more field-ready components with the aim of taking defense readiness to new heights.
Additive manufacturing’s defense applications go beyond just vehicle maintenance, however, with more and more advanced projects being commenced around the world. TheUS Marine Corps最近利用3D打印来帮助他们的清理任务，印刷了headcap for a rocket motor used to detonate an M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge(MICLIC). 3D printing the headcap enabled the marines to overcome the costly and time-inefficient drawbacks of traditional manufacturing techniques.
Elsewhere, software developer一般格子was recently awarded a contract by the美国军队改善吸收的影响陆军使用3D打印和高级格子几何形状的战斗头盔。这R&D project is currently underway and will see the firm develop a predictive modeling toolset to design and generate high-performance lattice structures for use in helmets.
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Featured image shows a 3D printed wheel bearing cover installed on the M113. Photo via SPEE3D.
