3D Printing

Spee3D brings metal cold spray AM to Japan’s military

Spee3D recently announced a contract with the Japan Ministry of Defense to provide WarpSpee3D and XSpee3D printers for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

Byron Kennedy of Spee3D (left) and Major General Mr. Shirakawa of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (right)
Byron Kennedy of Spee3D (left) and Major General Mr. Shirakawa of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (right). Image courtesy of Spee3D.

The WarpSpee3D is a large-format metal 3D printer, enabling significantly faster, more cost-effective, and more scalable production than traditional manufacturing. The recently launched XSpee3D printer is custom-built for defense, offering a containerized, ruggedized, deployable metal additive manufacturing capability with all the necessary functions to build metal parts in one place. Both printers utilize Spee3D’s patented cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) technology.

Defense requires additive manufacturing technology that can quickly produce parts from well-known metal alloys to address real-time needs in the field where forces are typically located. Working with Spee3D, Japan’s defense forces will now have the unique capability to produce parts in record time and at the point of need in critical situations. JGSDF will receive training, support, and maintenance for both printers, including in-the-field exercise programs with the XSpee3D.

Spee3D
spee3d.com

Written by

Rachael Pasini

Rachael Pasini has a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering and a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from The Ohio State University. She has over 15 years of experience as a technical writer and taught college math and physics. As Editor-in-Chief of Engineering.com and Design World and Senior Editor of Fluid Power World and R&D World, she covers automation, hydraulics, pneumatics, linear motion, motion control, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, robotics, and more.