AML3D awarded $1.54 million contract on copper-nickel alloys for US submarines

Wire arc additive manufacturing business AML3D has announced receipt of a purchase order worth $US $1.01 million (approximately $1.54 million) to support qualification testing of copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) alloys for US Department of Defense applications. 

The original contract to develop and test AM Cu-Ni components for the US Navy’s submarine program was announced in September last year.

According to a statement from the company on Tuesday, the new order follows success of the initial alloy characterisation and testing contract to support the US Navy’s submarine qualification, which is designed to streamline the procurement process for future Cu-Ni testing contracts. 

The PO for increased funding on CuNi qualification testing has been signed with BlueForge Alliance, a nonprofit, neutral integrator, which supports technology adoption and acceleration to strengthen and sustain the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base 

“AML3D receiving this significant PO to continue more extensive CuNi alloy qualification testing is further evidence of AML3D developing a long-term, strategic partnership with key stakeholders within the US Navy’s submarine program,” said AML3D Managing Director Sean Ebert.

“Our continuing work testing and qualifying a range of alloys for the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base is designed to show how AML3D’s ARCEMY metal 3D Printing technology can be deployed to solve a variety of time, cost and supply chain challenges. 

Under the PO, AML3D will proceed immediately by utilising $US 0.2 million to secure supplies of Cu-Ni wire feedstock to support continued testing. The company is currently concluding a Nickel-Aluminium-Bronze (NAB) alloy testing program for the US Navy’s submarine program.

Successful conclusion of Cu-Ni alloy qualification testing will demonstrate that ARCEMY systems can produce US Defense-certified parts across an expanded range of applications, it said.   

Picture: credit AML3D

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