French Navy uses wire laser metal 3D printing technology for metal part creation and repair

The French Navy has validated the use of additive manufacturing technology developed by Meltio for real maneuvers. The Spanish company has thus achieved the third approval of its metal 3D printing technology for the defense sector. This technology has also been validated by the Spanish Army, which already uses 3D printing solutions in its manufacturing and repair processes for metal parts.

The French army is already considering including a technology in upcoming real-life maneuvers and may even incorporate it on board ships in its fleet in the future.

In addition to these contract, Sicnova, Meltio’s distributor in Spain, signed a contract with the Spanish Ministry of Defense at the end of 2023 to introduce additive manufacturing in the three Spanish armies for the next four years.

Currently, armies in other countries are in the process of validating additive manufacturing technology. This interest from the defense sector is also opening the door to companies in the aerospace sector that are already validating the Spanish multinational’s technology.

Meltio’s 3D printer works with various types of materials, including stainless steel, titanium, Inconel, mild steel and tool steel.

“3D printing technology experimentation exercise enables the supply and repair of fully dense parts for various industrial applications. These parts are manufactured at a low production cost per cubic centimeter. In addition, the speed of execution and efficiency are such that production is more competitive than with traditional manufacturing methods,” stresses the French Navy.

Jean-Marc Quenez, director of Innovation and Additive Manufacturing at the Service de Soutien de la Flotte (SSF) of the French Ministry of Defense assures:

“We are at a point of overcoming technological tests of the Meltio metal 3D printer for the French Navy. Its state of use is experimental. Currently, The French Navy is using this machine on land. The machine is installed at our naval base, the Arsenal, located in the city of Toulon. After months of preliminary tests at our technology center in Toulouse, south of France, the transfer of the 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 additive manufacturing system is very efficient in the result of the parts obtained”.