The French Navy has officially validated Meltio' DED technology
The French Navy has become the third armed force in the world to approve Meltio's technology
DED - the 3D printing technology developed by the Spanish Meltio was deployed by the French Navy during experimental exercises. Thus, the French have joined the US Navy and the Spanish Army, which had previously implemented this manufacturing technology in their production and repair processes.
Meltio stands out in the market with its unique 3D printing technology, which utilizes advanced wire-laser DED (Directed Energy Deposition) technology. This additive manufacturing system allows for precise and efficient printing of metal parts, which is particularly important in the context of repairs and production under demanding military conditions.
The DED method enables printing with various metals, including stainless steel and Inconel, increasing its versatility and usefulness in a wide range of applications. Thanks to continuous innovation and testing, Meltio is gaining increasing recognition among customers worldwide, including in the military sector, where precision, reliability, and quick response to needs are crucial.
Meltio's technology was validated during military maneuvers conducted in May 2024. The company reports that the French Navy is already considering incorporating it into future maneuvers in real operational conditions and may even install it on the decks of its ships.
The aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, the flagship of the French Navy, has been experimentally using Meltio's 3D printing technology. In May, engineers from the Navy's logistics department in Toulon conducted a special repair experiment using a Meltio machine.
Jean-Marc Quenez, Director of Innovation and Additive Manufacturing at the Service de Soutien de la Flotte (SSF) of the French Ministry of Defense, commented:
We are at a point of overcoming technological tests of the Meltio metal 3D printer for the French Navy. After months of preliminary tests at our technology centre in Toulouse to test Meltio’s wire-laser DED technology, 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.
In addition to the French Navy deploying Meltio technology for experimental exercises, the company also announced that its Spanish distributor, Sicnova, has signed a contract with the Spanish Ministry of Defense to introduce Meltio's 3D printing technology into the three branches of the Spanish military for the next four years.
Source: www.meltio3d.com