Exclusive distribution rights for Multi Jet Fusion target field-deployable drone production.
Additive manufacturing (AM) has been seeing significant growth in the defense sector, not just in aerospace applications but also on land and at sea. One of the most promising areas of advancement for AM in this space is in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and for good reason. The design freedom and new opportunities for lightweighting that are enabled by 3D printing technology are a perfect fit for drone engineering.
Beyond that, the ability to deploy AM systems on the front lines – not only in warfare but also disaster relief – enables users to see the logistical and supply chain benefits of AM (which tend to be rendered in the abstract) realized firsthand. To that end, Firestorm Labs, a provider of AM UAS that specializes in field-deployable additive systems, has just announced that it’s secured exclusive distribution rights from HP for mobile Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technologies.
At the core of this agreement is Firestorm’s xCell manufacturing system, which is housed inside two expandable 20-foot containers. The system is designed to run on power generators, battery backup systems, or traditional power sources, making it functional in remote locations, such as forward operating bases and disaster zones.
According to the company, Firestorm’s goal is to create a distributed, resilient global production network where customers can leverage regional and localized supply chains to adapt to shortages, deliver products more quickly, and flexibly develop needs-based modifications to products with long lead and shipping times.
“This agreement is a game-changer,” said Ian Muceus, co-Founder and CTO of Firestorm in a press release. “For nearly a decade, we’ve trusted HP’s technology to meet high-volume, high-quality demands of polymer additive manufacturing. Now, we’re able to take that capability directly to the edge – military bases, disaster zones, and remote medical outposts – where time and logistics matter most. We’re excited to keep pushing boundaries, fine-tuning print settings, developing new materials, and maximizing throughput, material properties, and lightweighting.”
“[This is] about empowering first responders, aid organizations, and military units with the ability to manufacture solutions wherever they are,” said François Minec, VP and global head of sales and business development at HP Additive Manufacturing Solutions, in the same release. “We’re excited to help build a future where distributed, on-demand production becomes the norm and makes a difference in people’s lives. Our vision is to empower businesses and communities with scalable, localized production that enhances efficiency, reduces waste, and provides critical solutions when and where they’re needed most.”
