Aurora Labs AL250 | Photo credit: Aurora Labs
It’s been a long time since we haven’t talked about Aurora Labs (A3D), the Australian 3D printer maker that is developing a Multilevel Concurrent Printing (MCP™) process, a process that involves applying multiple layers of powder at the same time. During the powder application process, there is an area behind each individual powder gate that can be printed (operational surface), which means that multiple operational surfaces can be printed on at the same time (multilevel concurrent printing).
Last time we checked, the company was still searching for its ideal business model. The pandemic brought with it a period of restructuring and since then the company has quietly focused on its operations – and the Australian market.
Until last year.
The Company’s primary MCP™ patent was issued in the United States. The funding is complete The large format multilayer printer from A3D Patent protection for its MCP™ technology in major global jurisdictions including Australia, China, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
Between a memorandum of understanding signed with Aramco – one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemical companies and a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Chevron Australia To provide additive manufacturing services, A3D has launched a new metal 3D printer: the Industrial 3D printer AL250.
Key features of the new 3D printer
According to A3D, a powder dispensing mechanism is central to the functionality of the AL250. The powder is conditioned with heat before being applied to the recoating system. This ensures optimal temperatures of the powder for distribution and compaction when building a powder layer. The consistency of the powder layer can reduce mechanical defects within parts and ensure a high quality, repeatable build.
In addition to this functionality, the AL250 also features a build plate heater with a temperature of 200°C for additional performance in materials research, and strict environmental control processes enable monitoring of the flow and recirculation of gases, temperature and humidity during the printing process in the build chamber.
The laser power of the AL250 machine is also top-notch in its class: a full 1500 W per laser is available for use in lasering highly reflective or conductive powders such as copper. Efficient and optimized process parameters that utilize this performance to process a variety of powder materials can be purchased with the machine.
The target market for machinery includes the defense, aerospace, oil and gas industries as well as engineering specialists and OEMs that have libraries of complex parts manufactured in customized production runs. However, Aurora remains focused on it Defense as a key vertical industry that will advance its technology.
However, solving complex part problems through generative design printed in the AL250 will be key to demonstrating the printer’s strength and flexibility to a broader market.
Today
Through ongoing application discussions with customers in the defense and aerospace target markets, A3D will be able to accelerate the advancement and performance of its machines.
One of the customers that makes this possible for them is Chiron Global Techan Australian technology company providing advanced training and operational protective equipment to defense and law enforcement customers.
Working with Chiron’s engineering team, A3D will provide 3D printed parts that will be integrated into the Chiron X1 training suit made from advanced composite materials for highly effective martial artists.
Commenting on activities, CEO Rebekah Lethebysaid: “Design for additive manufacturing of parts for defense applications has accelerated rapidly and is now at a stage where we are conducting mechanical testing, which is progressing well.” We have strong interest in the A3D printed parts from select defense customers such as Chiron Global Tech.”
The ease with which 3D printing allows design changes to a part to enable effortless 3D printing is demonstrated by the fact that multiple designs of the same part can be produced in one print and tested the next day. Prints can be completed in less than a day and therefore rounds of testing can be completed in days rather than weeks. This type of preparation for mail merge production is extremely efficient compared to traditional manufacturing, which may involve multiple, slower production methods.
Production efficiency, weight of armor components and mechanical strength are key areas of A3D’s testing focus. These two elements are firmly embedded in A3D’s additive manufacturing process, optimizing parts that can be made lighter through design or material selection but ensure the performance of the required mechanical properties. This allows the carrier of printed components to withstand the impact force and does not have to carry additional weight. This is excellent evidence of where 3D printing can excel.
In parallel, A3D continues to work on the delivery of the first AL250 printer and preliminary design work for the Multi-Layer Concurrent Printing (MCP) prototype.
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