Aurora Labs notches up 3D printing speed and scalability
Aurora’s 3D printing Rapid Manufacturing Technology has achieved print speeds of 113kg a day.
Aurora Labs (ASX: A3D) has boosted the print speed capability of its metal 3D printer to 55 times the market speed, with testing demonstrating the scalable nature of its Rapid Manufacturing Technology (RMT).
The Perth-based company said it had wrapped up the latest testing of its propriety technology aimed at printing titanium objects, with the testing adding an additional level of confidence in the technology.
According to Aurora, testing achieved a “remarkable” print speed of 113 kilograms a day.
“This represents a speed of approximately 55 times market speed and demonstrates the potential of the technology to transform the spare parts industry worldwide,” the company said.
The result is a big improvement on print testing conducted last October, which enabled the company to deliver print capacity of 40kg a day.
Aurora’s testing involves the use of Multilevel Concurrent Printing (MCP) process which can be significantly faster than traditional 3D printing processes.
The unique MCP method involves multiple layers of powder being laid down at the same time, enabling printing to occur of multiple operative surfaces simultaneously.
Hot on the heels of a $5 million capital raising, Aurora managing director David Budge said this was another significant step for the development of its technology.
“Printing on multiple levels simultaneously at high speed is what we believe will ultimately allow us to print up to 1,000kg in one day,” he said.
Point of difference
According to the company, its ability to scale up and increase the speed of printing separates it from the traditional 3D printing market, given there is significant limitations on speed using the existing technology.
Its Alpha machine has been modified to include the connection of two sub-units working together, leading to the doubling of speed capacity of the single unit configuration.
As the company continues to de-risk the commercialisation process of its RMT, it said the speed of the machine would assist in creating a superior product at a cost competitive price.
The speed and scalability advantage have prompted Aurora to look beyond traditional 3D printing markets as it seeks to tap into heavy industrial industries, such as mining and oil and gas.
News of the latest round of positive testing helped Aurora shares jump 12.5% in morning trade to $0.45.