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U.S. Military Conducts First-Ever Shipboard Metal 3D Printing During RIMPAC 2026: SPEE3D Cold Spray System Produces Critical Spare Parts at Sea

2026-08-30 · Impact score: 36

On August 29, 2026, a joint U.S. multi-service operation deployed SPEE3D's cold spray metal 3D printing system aboard the Canadian support vessel MV Asterix during RIMPAC 2026, marking the first time this technology has been used at sea. Cold spray technology deposits metal powder at supersonic speeds to produce dense parts without melting the material. Ship-to-shore collaboration delivered a total of 32 metal parts, with 8 printed directly onboard, and 29 completing heat treatment and machining. Critical spare part delivery times were reduced from months in the traditional supply chain to just a few hours. Value for powder buyers: 1) On-demand metal part manufacturing at the point of need has been validated in real-world military exercises, opening new scenarios for on-demand metal powder support for naval vessels and forward bases; 2) Cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM), which uses a non-melting deposition process, has different oxygen content and flowability requirements for metal powders compared to LPBF, creating a niche demand for specialized powders; 3) Forward-deployed military manufacturing is expected to establish a powder inventory and distribution system combining "base stockpiles + on-demand printing," making overseas military supply channels a market worth monitoring.

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美军RIMPAC 2026环太军演首次海上测试金属3D打印：SPEE3D冷喷涂舰上制造关键备件

2026年8月29日，美国多军种联合行动在RIMPAC 2026环太军演期间，将SPEE3D冷喷涂金属3D打印系统部署在加拿大支援舰MV Asterix号上，标志该技术首次在海上使用。冷喷涂以超音速沉积金属粉末、不熔化材料即可制造致密零件。舰岸协同共交付32个金属零件、其中8个在舰上直接打印、29个完成热处理与机加工，关键备件交付时间从传统供应链的数月缩短至数小时。对粉末采购商的价值：① 需求点按需制造金属备件获实兵验证，为舰艇及前沿基地的金属粉末按需保障打开新场景；② 冷喷涂（CSAM）不熔化沉积的工艺路径，对金属粉末的氧含量与流动性要求与LPBF不同，打开专用粉末细分需求；③ 军方前沿部署制造将形成"基地库存+按需打印"的粉末储备与配送体系，海外军需渠道值得关注。

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Suzhou XDM Sees Strong Sales of Metal 3D Printing Equipment: H1 Orders Up ~3x, Overseas Share Exceeds 60% for the First Time

On August 30, 2026, Suzhou XDM reported robust production and sales of its industrial-grade metal 3D printing equipment (which builds parts layer-by-layer by laser melting metal powder). In the first half of the year, orders surged approximately 3x year-on-year, with delivery schedules extending through year-end. For the first time, overseas orders surpassed domestic ones, accounting for nearly 60% of total orders. Mid-size machines are priced at roughly RMB 5–6 million per unit, while large and extra-large units can reach RMB 20–30 million. On the technology front, upgrading from a single-laser-plus-scanner setup to a dual-laser configuration has boosted overall processing efficiency by about 60%, with dual-laser stitching accuracy within ±0.1 mm, and reduced mid-size machine manufacturing lead times to 15–30 days. At the macro level, exports of domestic industrial-grade metal 3D printing equipment grew 76% year-on-year in the first half, with Europe and Southeast Asia accounting for 87% of total export value. Nationwide, 3D printing equipment output rose 48.5% year-on-year, ranking first among major industrial products. Value for powder buyers: ① The scale-up of metal AM equipment directly drives upstream metal powder consumption, and the delivery peak signals sustained upward demand for metal powder over the next six months. ② Overseas orders exceeding 60% for the first time indicates accelerated export of domestic equipment, raising the value of the "equipment-carries-powder" export channel. ③ The equipment order boom is accelerating powder standardization and scaling, further consolidating long-term supply relationships between leading powder makers and equipment suppliers.

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ORNL and INL Join Forces: AI-Guided Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing to Fill Nuclear Pressure Vessel Supply Chain Gaps

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2026-08-30

Jiangsu Yingshitai Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd. 3D Printing Castings Project

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2026-08-30

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