3D Printing

Aurora Labs forms joint venture with WorleyParsons for metal 3D printing in oil & gas

Australian metal 3D printer manufacturer, Aurora Labs, has entered a joint venture with WorleyParsons Services, a Sydney-based engineering and consulting company.

The 50/50 shared venture will bring Aurora Labs and Advision Digital, a software and data science expert owned by WorleyParsons, to form AdditiveNow.

AdditiveNow will provide an additive manufacturing service package to clients in the oil & gas and mining industry.

Aurora Labs’ Managing Director, David Budge, said, “The finalisation of this joint venture is a significant step forward for Aurora Labs and for the 3D printing industry as a whole […] We look forward to helping our new broader network of customers to find business advantage through 3D printing solutions, especially across the mining, oil & gas and major infrastructure sectors.”

Metal 3D printed samples from Aurora Labs. Image via Aurora Labs
Metal 3D printed samples from Aurora Labs. Image via Aurora Labs

Billion dollar industry

Aurora Labs is known for the S-Titanium Pro and Alpha 3D printer. The S-Titanium Pro in particular is significantly cheaper than most industrial metal 3D printers and also has an open source approach to materials. These were cited as primary reasons for the sales boost Aurora Labs received in the Q1 FY2019.

Aurora Labs has been in partnership with WorleyParsons since 2017, but now bringing Advision Digital onboard, Aurora Labs will provide AM services to its client and build digital inventories.

Already a part DNV GL’s oil & gas and marine part certification project, Aurora Labs is well equipped to start building its presence within this highly-lucrative sector.

The Alpha 3D printer. Photo via Aurora Labs.
The Alpha 3D printer. Photo via Aurora Labs.

AdditiveNow

AdditiveNow’s activities will be focused on consultation, engineering, and agile manufacturing. The company will help its client understand the potential of additive manufacturing and help design 3D printable parts. Furthermore, AdditiveNow will also plan on-demand part production using metal 3D printers and ensure certification of such parts.

Budge elaborated, “We have already identified and initiated discussions with specific customers for efficiency opportunities to reduce their capital committed to spare parts and inventory, potentially replacing aspects of traditional supply chain with 3D metal printing technology. This has the potential to result in reducing inventory holding costs, freight and manufacturing lead times.”

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Featured image shows Stainless steel rhombus ball created using the Alpha 3D printer. Photo via Aurora Labs.