Aurora Labs wins maiden defence industry printing services contract

Aurora Labs (ASX: A3D) has secured a $60,000 printing services contract with Australian defence industry manufacturer Sovereign Propulsion Systems, which specialises in the provision of unmanned aerial system (UAS) platforms.

Under the terms of the deal, Aurora will be involved in the design and print production of high-resolution, high-fidelity, lightweight componentry for prototype autonomous systems.

The parts will be printed at the company’s Perth-based bureau using locally-designed and made laser powder bed fusion machines.

The contract is believed to be a new step for Aurora as it entails specialist requirements which match up with its expertise in design for additive manufacturing and its recently-gained ISO9001 quality certification.

Solid entry point

Chief executive officer Rebekah Letheby said the maiden defence contract would provide a solid entry point for the company to pursue further opportunities in the industry.

“This printing services contract will serve as a platform to spotlight the delivery of 3D bespoke designed and printed lightweight components to the defence industry’s exacting standards,” she said.

“Our dedicated team will provide an end-to-end service which holds a wealth of engineering expertise specifically targeted for metal additive manufacturing printing processes… we anticipate an opportunity to prove our capability and establish a lasting presence in the defence industry.”

Ms Letheby said while the order value was not significant, it was considered to be a foot in the door of a larger market where Aurora has been focusing it business efforts over the past 12 months.

Maritime conference

Aurora has been preparing for the Indo Pacific 2023 International Maritime Exposition conference to be held in Sydney next month, where the company will showcase a number of printed components which can be used within the defence industry.

Ms Letheby said the focus of its work will be on high value-adding products using current or near-term technologies to demonstrate the benefits of its additive manufacturing capabilities.

Target markets

Aurora’s target markets for 3D printing include the defence, aerospace and oil and gas industries, as well as engineering specialists and original equipment manufacturers with libraries of complex parts made in bespoke production runs.

The company said its capability to solve complex problems with parts through generative designs would be key to demonstrating strength and flexibility to the wider market.