Xerox ElemX 3D steel printer put in on USS Essex (LHD 2)
Xerox says that an ElemX liquid steel printer just lately put in on board USS Essex (LHD 2) is the primary steel additive manufacturing machine to be deployed on a U.S. Navy vessel.
The Xerox ElemX was positioned on the ship earlier this month in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, with at-sea trials starting instantly. The set up is the newest step within the U.S. Navy’s technique of utilizing additive manufacturing (AM) to extend operational readiness for the fleet. It additionally builds on the connection between the U.S. Navy and Xerox Elem Additive that started with the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, Calif., receiving the first-ever set up of the ElemX in 2020.
“The military supply chain is among the most complex in the world and putting the ElemX on USS Essex means that sailors can now bypass that complexity and print parts when and where they need them,” mentioned Tali Rosman, common supervisor of Elem Additive. “We are proud to continue our partnership with the Navy to help them advance their additive manufacturing capabilities and execute their long-term vision.”
The ElemX leverages Xerox’s liquid steel AM expertise that makes use of customary aluminum wire. There are not any steel powders with ElemX and no want for particular facility modifications or private protecting gear to function the machine. The printer additionally requires minimal post-processing and due to this fact offers a sooner time-to-part. This means to provide dependable substitute elements on-demand reduces the dependency on complicated world provide chains for deployed forces.
To stand up to the varied sea states and environmental challenges that warships encounter, the ElemX was put in in an industrial transport container to ruggedize it. Trials have already begun aboard Essex to determine operational tips and technical feasibility research to find out functions and use instances. A workforce on board USS Essex will design and print shipboard objects and supply suggestions to NPS and Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific (COMNAVSURPAC).
The ElemX 3D printer was commercially launched in February 2021, and since then, Elem Additive Solutions has expanded operations, together with opening an Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Cary, N.C.
