Optomec Partners with Phillips Federal
Phillips Federal will resell their Laser Engineered Net Shaping additive manufacturing systems to the U.S. military.
Posted: January 18, 2019
Optomec Inc. (Albuquerque, NM), a global leader in production-grade additive manufacturing solutions has announced that they have signed a partnership agreement with Phillips Federal (Hanover, MD). The agreement will enable Phillips to resell the Optomec Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS®) systems to U.S. government facilities. The LENS family offers a full range of additive manufacturing solutions for creating, enhancing and repairing metal components using high-powered lasers to build structures layer by layer directly from powdered metals, alloys, ceramics or composites.
“The agreement enables Phillips to continue to provide the best additive manufacturing (AM) solutions to maintain the readiness of the military and advance the research and development of new innovations and ideas throughout our government,” said John Harrison, the vice president of Phillips Federal. “We’ve seen an increase in the demand for AM solutions and our partnership with Optomec will allow us to continue to offer a full range of solutions.”
The LENS systems use a form of metal 3D printing known as Directed Energy Deposition (DED), which is complementary to the more common form of metal printing called Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), or Selective Laser Melting (SLM). Using DED, LENS is able to print full parts at a fraction of the time and cost of systems based on PBF/SLM, yet with better material and mechanical properties and less material waste. Additionally, LENS is uniquely able to add metal to existing parts for repair and coating applications that cost-effectively extend the useful life of components.
“Our partnership with Phillips will take the LENS technology to U.S. government facilities enabling them to achieve multiple strategic objectives. AM technology will improve maintenance and repair operations, get equipment operational faster, and improve supply chain capability all at significantly lower cost than traditional methods,” said Jamie Hanson, the vice president of business development at Optomec. “They have a very long and successful track record of working closely with customers to achieve their objectives, and together we expect to make a significant impact.”
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