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Overview
The UK government claims we must “harness the power of innovation.” Companies across the defence industry are collaborating with 3D Printing companies like ourselves to do just that. Additive manufacturing technologies are being utilised for advanced military projects from intricate prototyping of self-sensing armour, to on-demand production of mission-specific surveillance drones.
The ability to manufacture layer-by-layer has paved the way for new realms of design innovation, facilitating creation of increasingly advanced parts. With a rapid prototyping process available, development through iteration is faster than ever before.
The material-reductive nature of additive manufacturing is helping defence manufacturers produce both lighter parts and vehicles, increasing cost-effectiveness, and fuel and material efficiency.
With long-term growth in the defence sector projected, driven by critical advances in new technologies like 3D Printing, the future for collaboration looks promising indeed.
Why use 3D Printing in the Defence Industry
- Design Freedom – Produce highly accurate, detailed, and rugged models of even the most intricate designs, to achieve complex and lightweight parts. Engineers can also significantly reduce part numbers required for assemblies of support and surveillance equipment.
- Quicker design and development – Make quick iterations of design concepts, with no fixed costs per part, for a faster and more affordable testing & development process.
- Cost-cutting – Save money on mouldings, labour and material waste. (20% vs 80–90% on traditional machining).
- Customisation – Manufacture replacement parts, tools, and structural components, as and when required. Parts can even be tailored to specific missions and functions.
- Overcoming obsolescence – With military equipment in use for decades, many parts become obsolete. AM can continue a supply of replacement parts to keep fleets operational and ready without expensive transportation and logistics costs.
- Continued technological advancement – Facilitating more dynamic, versatile and effective defence capabilities, including large frame production of entire vehicles and bridges.
Why choose LPE for your Defence requirements?
- Over thirty years of experience in defence prototyping and production
- ISO 9001 and 13485 certified – we are committed to the highest quality standards
- Cutting edge engineering solutions
- COCs, first article inspection reports, in house testing and full material traceability available on request
- We provide NDAs with an assurance of complete confidentiality
- Wide range of materials including bio-compatible materials for medical military use, range of production metals and rubber
- Flexible project leadtimes allowing customers to accelerate campaign success
- Highly experienced team of engineers and modelmakers to help you unlock the full potential of 3D Printing
- Guaranteed next-day delivery across the UK & Ireland
LPE Recommended Materials & Processes
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Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) - Nylon (PA 2200)
Applications include: Tough, testable components, Low Volume production
Laser sintered parts made from PA 2200 have excellent material properties with high strength and rigidity, good chemical resistance and finishing possibilities. It is a tough, functional material with high temperature resistance, designed for strong end user parts. Due to its excellent mechanical properties, users can substitute injection moulding for simplified, high-spec 3D printing. Highly suitable for rugged testing for defence housings and components
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Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) - Titanium Ti64 Eli Grade 23
Applications include: Military orthopaedic implants, surgical tools, lightweight military products
This is one of the more commonly used titanium alloys, as it is corrosion-resistant, high strength, tough and lightweight. Usually referred to as Ti 6Al-4V, ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) grade it has lower impurity limits, especially oxygen and iron.
This material is regularly used in military medical technology because of its good biocompatible, excellent fracture toughness and crack propagation behaviour. Even maintaining good fracture toughness at low temperatures. These properties as well as low elastic modules and good fatigue strength are due to the alloys low ELI. -
Digital Light Processing (DLP) – Rubber-65A BLK
Applications include: Seals, keypads, grips
Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK is a mid-tear strength material for the production of medium hard rubber parts with slow rebound, for applications such as grips, handles, gaskets, seals, and more.
Parts exhibit long term environmental stability as well as production performance and mechanical properties, so can be used for early design verification as well as end use components in just a few days.
Interested in finding out more about the materials we offer?