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NP Aerospace 3D Prints 110 kg Armored Vehicle Suspension Component
2026-05-21
UK defense supplier NP Aerospace has successfully produced a 110 kg suspension and differential carrier assembly for the Mastiff heavy armored patrol vehicle using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). The component was manufactured by the UK’s Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) using DED-arc additive technology, with metal wire deposited layer by layer followed by precision machining. Traditional casting or forging processes for such large structural parts take 6 to 9 months to deliver, while the 3D printing approach dramatically shortens this to just weeks. This project demonstrates the significant potential of additive manufacturing in defense supply chains for rapid response, reduced spare part costs, and improved equipment availability.
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NP Aerospace 3D打印110公斤装甲车悬挂件
英国国防供应商NP Aerospace成功运用电弧增材制造（WAAM）技术，为“獒犬”（Mastiff）重型装甲巡逻车打印了重达110公斤的悬挂与差速器支架总成。该部件由英国数字制造中心（DMC）采用DED电弧增材工艺制造，金属丝材逐层堆叠成型后辅以精密机加工。传统铸造或锻造工艺生产此类大型结构件交付周期通常需要6至9个月，3D打印路线将其急剧缩短至数周。该项目证明了增材制造在国防供应链中快速响应、降低备件成本和提升装备可用性方面的巨大潜力。