Aurora Labs secures major contract with Chevron Australia
Perth-based 3D printing company Aurora Labs (ASX: A3D) has landed another significant contract with a global oil and gas major.
The master services contract (MSA) with Chevron Australia will see Aurora Labs provide a range of 3D powder-printed parts to the operator of a number of world class gas assets in Western Australia.
Aurora Labs’ chief executive officer, Rebekah Letherby said the MSA has been strategically formulated to define the performance criteria and industry standards Aurora will be required to adhere to when engaged in producing 3D printed parts for Chevron Australia’s operations.
He said the new contract award continues to build on Aurora’s strategy to advance its additive manufacturing solutions business across the energy, mineral processing, defence and industrial sectors.
“There is an increasing trend of companies looking to adopt additive manufacturing for their operations to improve their operational efficiency and supply chain resilience. This contract award aligns with our strategy to offer additive manufacturing solutions to local companies in the energy, defence and mineral processing industries,” Ms Letherby said.
“Our ability to vertically integrate to design, build and qualify our printers to meet this growing demand bodes well for our future growth aspirations.”
In what has been a very successful year, Aurora signed a 3-year contract with Alcoa in February 2023, completed a successful qualification print campaign with Woodside Energy in January and signed a recent memorandum of understanding with Aramco.
Saudi Aramco deal a major success
The non-binding memorandum of understanding with petroleum giant Saudi Aramco will see the two companies potentially collaborate on the development of various 3D printing opportunities.
The deal initially focuses on identifying areas of co-operation for the two companies to investigate.
This will include an exchange of information relating to the development of Aurora’s AL250 commercial laser power bed fusion printer and its patented multi-layer concurrent printing technology.
New technologies continue to progress
AL250 is the culmination of new technologies covered by a global process patent and is incorporated into the physical design and process control software of the company’s functional prototypes Alpha 2 and Beta.
It features best-in-class optics for optimal use of the printer’s in-built 1500 watt lasers; customised gas recirculation and fume extraction; a simple and robust system design; and a medium-sized footprint.
The Aramco deal also outlines potential exchanges of information regarding the Saudi Arabia market and potential joint development of opportunities in the 3D printing business.
Saudi Aramco, officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Group or simply Aramco, is the second largest company in the world by revenue.
ISO 9001 certification awarded
Aurora was also recently awarded with an ISO 9001 certification for its quality management system.
The system was independently audited by South Australian firm ECAAS Certification and covers the provision of design, engineering and additive manufacturing of bespoke parts.
The certification award recognised the company’s commitment to providing quality advanced manufacturing services and is a key requirement for working with tier 1 industrial clients.