Aurora gets 3D printing tech ‘commercial ready’

development of its 3D metal printing technology, with an independent evaluation demonstrating its effectiveness and the company declaring the product commercially ready.

The move completes what Aurora describes as “milestone 4” on its technology development pathway for the company’s signature multi-laser, high-powered 3D printing system which it aims to use to produce stainless steel parts for the mining and oil and gas industries.

3D “printing” involves the creation of items that are effectively layered with fused metal powder. It has the potential to disrupt the traditional wholesale supply industry as it provides an opportunity for end users to effectively “print” their own spare parts rather than order them from distant suppliers.

The latest milestone includes the company printing trial components for BAE Systems Maritime Australia for the Australian Navy’s Hunter Class Frigate Program and a series of parts known as “gland followers” for a client of Aurora’s joint venture known as AdditiveNow.

The Perth-based company says the trial printing enabled it to work with clients to investigate development parameters and optimise production rates. The process gave its technical teams insights into the capability of the prototype printer and possible further design enhancements.

Aurora Labs Chief Executive Officer Peter Snowsill said: “With milestone 4 we have demonstrated the validity of our technology and printing outputs. Critically, our technology fits a gap in the market for a high productivity, mid-range and mid-cost machine, which is a market segment with substantial growth potential as additive manufacturing use expands. Now that we have expert opinion and validation from a reputable third party, and it is time to move into the next phase, commercialising A3D technology. We are exploring and refining our thinking around our go-to-market strategy and the best partnership models to pursue for the most effective pathway to market for the technology.” 

Third-party validation was provided from additive manufacturing consulting firm, The Barnes Global Advisors, or “TBGA”, who Aurora engaged to provide a comprehensive analysis of the suite of technologies under development.

TBGA concluded that: “Aurora Labs has demonstrated best-in-class optics, controlling four 1500W lasers for high productivity printing”.  It also said the technology would contribute to a “highly productive, affordable solution for the multi-laser market”.

Aurora Chairman Grant Mooney said: “The Barnes endorsement is the cornerstone of milestone 4’s success. We were clear that independent, third-party validation processes and scrutiny had to be applied to the team’s thinking for us to be confident of our achievement of the goal. We are pleased to have our belief that we are a local solution for major regional industry ratified…The work TBGA has done confirms the merit of Aurora’s place in the additive manufacturing space and sets a series of immediate steps for us to launch into the next phase.”

As part of milestone 4, Aurora sought intellectual property protections for seven key “patent families”, including print process techniques to provide future enhancement for the current technology. The company is also exploring partnerships and collaborations for research and development and licensing for manufacture and distribution. It says discussions are continuing with different entities around partnership opportunities with powder bed fusion printer manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers looking to expand into that market.

Aurora launched its technology development pathway in July 2020 following an internal restructure and a shift away from its previous manufacturing and distribution model to focus on developing commercial metal printing technologies for licensing and partnerships.

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