Nikon SLM Solutions, a unit of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing and a global player in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) metal additive manufacturing (AM), has announced that the Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division of HII — America’s largest shipbuilder — has placed an order for a second NXG 600E order, further strengthening its advanced manufacturing capabilities ‘in support of US Navy shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB)’.
The order builds on a previously announced NXG 600E acquisition and reflects HII’s continued investment in large-format metal AM to enable the production of ‘large, complex components and replacement of legacy castings for critical naval applications’.
Through close collaboration with HII, Nikon SLM Solutions will lead parameter development and process maturation for L-PBF production of NiAlBr (nickel-aluminium bronze) components, ‘expanding material capability for AM within US Navy supply chains and supporting long-term maritime readiness’.
Hamid Zarringhalam, CEO of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing and chairman of Nikon SLM Solutions, said: “This second NXG 600E order reflects HII’s leadership and long-term commitment to advancing the maritime industrial base through AM. Expanding critical materials capabilities such as nickel-aluminum bronze is a foundational part of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing’s holistic approach, combining scalable platforms, material and process development, and US-based production and support. Together with HII, we are enabling additive manufacturing to move from isolated applications to a repeatable, industrial capability that supports US Navy shipbuilding at scale.”
Nikon SLM Solutions is home to the world’s fastest metal AM machines featuring up to 12 lasers and enabling build rates of up to 1,000cm
3/hr. The company is headquartered in Germany and has offices in Canada, France, India, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, and the USA.