South Australia start-up AML3D has received a purchase contract to produce a 3D printed tooling component from The Boeing Company.
Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defence products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries, leveraging the talents of a global supplier base. Under its new purchase contract with Boeing, AML3D will supply an Invar‑361 ”mandrel tool artifact”, weighing approximately 150kg, using the company’s proprietary Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM) process.
The initial purchase contract is for one artifact, which will be assessed and tested for its mechanical properties, internal soundness, vacuum integrity and to assess AML3D’s ability to produce to Boeing specifications. Although the part being manufactured will have a value of less than $50,000, the significance of this initial purchase contract is high given the size and credibility of Boeing, together with the potential commercial benefits of future collaborations with the group.
AML3D Managing Director Andrew Sales said: “AML3D is very excited to begin working with Boeing, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies. This purchase contract will provide the Company with a key opportunity to showcase its ability to produce parts on time and to specification with a high-quality customer as the world adapts to 3D printed solutions in addition to traditional manufacturing.”
AML3D specialises in providing commercial large-scale “Additive Metal Layering” 3D printing services to defence, maritime, automotive and resources customers. The company has commercialised its technology under the trademark WAM and proprietary software WAMSoft, which combines metallurgical science and engineering design to fully automate the 3D printing process utilising advanced robotics technology.