VEEM, the Australian manufacturer of high technology marine propulsion and stabilization systems, and Aurora Labs, a metal 3D printer manufacturer, have signed a five-year agreement to explore the uses of Aurora Labs’ 3D printing and large format technology.
This collaboration will potentially deliver cost and efficiency savings for the manufacture of VEEM’s specialist technology, which includes its propellers, fin systems, and gyrostabilizers – a marine device used reducing the rolling of boats and ships in waves. Mark Miocevich, Managing Director of VEEM stated:
“There is huge potential in the use of 3D printing technology to manufacture a range of complex components used in VEEM products, medium and large format 3D printing, especially using metal alloys, is notoriously challenging.”
The forefront of technology development & innovation
With the S-Titanium Pro Aurora Labs has branched into powder manufacturing, and control software for large-scale industrial manufacturing on a cost-effective basis.
The S-Titanium Pro, which uses Aurora Labs’ Large Format technology (LFP), prints metal components with Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) or Directed Energy Deposition (DED) processes. Additionally, as an open-source platform customers can use with their own print software and metal powders.
With these features, the S-Titanium Pro is finding use by customers for material research and rapid prototyping and will now gain its first potential customers for its LFP technology through VEEM.
“VEEM is at the forefront of technology development and innovation, making them an ideal industry partner for Aurora,” said David Budge, Managing Director of Aurora Labs.
The Gyrostabilizer, one of VEEM’s commercially successful innovations, has been used by Europe’s second largest shipbuilder, Damen, to conduct sea trials. Furthermore, the Gyrostabilizer was selected by Friere Shipyard, based in Spain, as the roll stabilization system for a 42m fishery patrol vessel for the Government of Kuwait.
“From being an expensive option for small components, recent technical developments in 3D printing point the way toward larger sizes and far more rapid production rates,” added Miocevich.
The four-stage agreement
The terms of the agreement between VEEM and Aurora Labs remain non-binding and is based on a four-stage process.
In the first stage,VEEM will review and analyze Aurora Products and its potential capabilities. Secondly, Aurora will assist VEEM in the assessment of the potential value of utilizing Aurora’s technology and products in VEEM’s operations.
In the third stage, both companies will identify and evaluate the potential opportunities for government R&D funding towards projects related to its venture program. The fourth and final stage will include VEEM making an equity investment in Aurora Labs.
Aurora Labs previously entered a non-binding agreement with DNV GL, a global quality assurance and risk management company, to develop a certification framework for metal parts made on its 3D printers.
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Featured image shows a stainless steel rhombus ball created using Aurora Labslarge-format 3D printer. Photo via Aurora Labs.
