After receiving validation from the US Navy, French Navy, Spanish Army and Air Force, and several military forces across the EMEA region, Meltio’s wire-laser technology has now been officially approved for use by the Army of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). This marks a significant step as the South Korean military becomes the first to adopt metal additive manufacturing (AM) for spare parts and repairs.
This milestone was made possible through a collaboration between Meltio and AM Solutions, which helped bring the advanced technology to the Korean Army. With this adoption, the Army is now able to produce its own parts and repairs, reducing reliance on expensive and time-consuming traditional manufacturing methods.
The introduction of Meltio’s metal 3D printing technology has already begun with the Marine Corps Logistics Group, making it the first military unit in South Korea to utilize robot-based 3D printers for logistical support. These printers allow for the fast production or repair of parts that are either discontinued or hard to obtain. The equipment’s mobility, being transportable via crane or forklift, significantly enhances field maintainability.
Lieutenant Colonel Kim Seong-nam, Commander of the Maintenance Battalion in the Republic of Korea Army, highlighted the importance of this technology, stating, “The introduction of metal 3D printers is crucial not only for reducing operational and maintenance costs but also for avoiding delays in repair schedules caused by the challenges in sourcing parts.”
A Landmark Achievement
Daejung Kim, CEO of AM Solutions, referred to the adoption of Meltio’s technology by the South Korean military as a major breakthrough in local manufacturing innovation. He emphasized that this achievement is only the beginning, with further plans to expand the use of additive manufacturing in other industries within South Korea.
Adam Hourigan, Meltio’s sales manager for the APAC region, pointed out the strategic importance of the defense sector for the company. He explained that the successful collaboration with AM Solutions helps the Republic of Korea’s Army gain more independence in manufacturing metal parts through reliable and sustainable methods.
Innovative 3D Printing Technology
On February 19, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps Logistics Group announced the integration of a mobile container-type 3D printer to improve logistics support. This printer is designed to rapidly produce parts in-house, addressing the challenges of limited procurement and discontinued repair parts for critical Marine Corps equipment, including amphibious assault armored vehicles (KAAV).
While several branches of the military have used 3D printing to produce maintenance and repair parts, the Marine Corps Logistics Group is the first to implement a robot-based, mobile 3D printer for this purpose.
Meltio’s 3D printer, which uses the Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition (LW-DED) method, offers an innovative approach to metal additive manufacturing. This technique melts metal wire with a laser and builds it layer by layer to form a 3D structure. Compared to other metal AM methods, DED technology reduces material waste and is more cost-effective for manufacturing. Meltio’s system can reliably produce parts from a range of materials, including stainless steel, titanium, copper, Inconel, and various other metal alloys.
Thanks to the partnership with AM Solutions, Meltio provides the Korean Army with its unique Meltio Integration Kit for Industrial Robots. This kit converts a standard industrial robot arm into a metal 3D printing system, eliminating size constraints and enabling the production of large-scale, complex metal parts. The platform is ideal for 3D printing, repairs, cladding, and adding features to existing components.
Meltio’s 3D printing technology is compatible with a variety of robotic arms from major manufacturers, including ABB, Kuka, Fanuc, and Yaskawa. Additionally, the system’s design allows for field operability, meaning it can be maintained and used on the move, further supporting the military’s critical combat assets.
Looking Ahead
The approval of Meltio’s technology by the South Korean Army represents a significant leap forward in military manufacturing capabilities, offering faster and more efficient solutions for spare parts and repairs. With continued collaboration between Meltio and AM Solutions, the Korean military is poised to lead the way in advanced manufacturing across various industries.
