Metal 3-D printer developed by Meltio and used by the French NavyThe French Navy has validated the use of the unique additive manufacturing (AM) technology developed by
Meltio during live manoeuvres. The Spanish multinational has now achieved the third approval of its metal 3-D printing technology for the defence sector, the other two being from Spain and the USA. In this case, the French Navy successfully installed a Meltio solution on board the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and it was validated during military manoeuvres carried out at the end of May.
Meltio’s technology works by Direct Energy Deposition (DED), which means the stacking of welding wires on top of each other, in the form of wire introduced into a molten bath generated by a laser. It is based on digital modelling of the replacement, which is an essential prerequisite for production.
The French Navy is now considering including the Meltio solution in upcoming real-life manoeuvres and may incorporate it on board ships in its fleet in the future. The Spanish company has consolidated its unique metal AM technology in the defence sector and has also been passing different technological tests on its hardware, metallic materials and software worldwide. Meltio has become a strategic and reliable partner, meeting the high demands of different armies around the world with its 3-D printing technology.
Sicnova, Meltio’s distributor in Spain, signed a contract with the Spanish Ministry of Defence at the end of 2023 to introduce AM in the three Spanish armies for the next four years. Currently, armies in other countries are in the process of validating Meltio's AM technology. This interest from the defence sector is also opening the door to companies in the aerospace sector that are also validating the unique technology. Meltio’s 3-D printer is compatible with various types of materials, including stainless steel, titanium, Inconel, mild steel and tool steel.
Pictured right: Stainless steel part created by the French Marine Nationale with a Meltio 3-D printerJean-Marc Quenez, director of innovation and AM at the Service de Soutien de la Flotte (SSF) of the French Ministry of Defense said: “After months of preliminary tests at our technology centre in Toulouse, to test Meltio‘s wire-laser DED technology, the transfer of the 3-D printer to Toulon was approved. The main objective of this transfer is to respond to the Navy ships that are sailing with their repair and manufacturing needs in different metallic materials, mainly stainless steels and Inconel, for which Meltio’s AM system is very efficient.”
Since its foundation in 2019, Meltio has achieved relevant projects in defence, consolidating and strengthening its technology and positioning itself as a strategic business partner for the manufacture and repair of metal parts in different industrial sectors, among which the defence sector stands out. Its technology is based on the patent of a 3-D printing head capable of melting various metallic materials using lasers and the welding wire technique.