Oct 22, 2018 | By Thomas
Australian metal additive manufacturing Company Titomic today announces that it has signed an agreement with TAUV Proprietary Limited to commence an up to $1.8 million exclusive defence program to manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles, solider systems and solider sensors for TAUV.
Following TAUV’s recent successful launch of the world’s first ruggedised titanium tactical UAV at Land Forces 2018, TAUV received huge interest for not only its UAV, but for other soldier system products, such as helmets and body armor. The two parties now entered into an MoU for a further two-phase extension to the relationship with TAUV to license the patented Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) technology to manufacture next generation soldier systems.
Under Phase II Titomic will deliver a feasibility report to TAUV outlining the various performance parameters, mechanical properties and product cost advantages of the Titomic technology including proof of concept prototypes. To maintain exclusivity, TAUV must execute Phase II, outlining the Specific Products on or before 30th November 2018, at a total Phase cost of $300,000.
Phase III will comprise of Titomic designing and engineering a manufacturing process for TAUV’s soldier system for up to five different specific products at a total cost of $300,000 per product for total revenue of up to $1.5 million.
On successful completion of production and evaluation trials (Phase III), TAUV will finalise product licenses with Titomic to use the TKF technology automated production line systems to manufacture soldier system products with ongoing royalty payments to Titomic for use of the TKF technology.
Jointly developed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Force Industries, the Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) process takes cold spray technology, but uses it to 3D print parts from titanium alloys.
The process involves spraying titanium powder in a chamber, where gas is heated up that accelerates the titanium particles through a nozzle and out of a spray gun. That spray gun is controlled by a robotic arm to spray in precise patterns, and when particles “hit” each other on the surface, they become bonded at a mechanical level through a process of plastic deformation.
In May this year Titomic announced the launch of the world’s 'largest' metal 3D metal printer at its state of the art facility in Melbourne, Australia. Based on traditional cold spray technologies, the new 3D printing process can print on a 9 m long x 3 m wide x 1.5 m high scale. The bus-sized 3D printer is capable of printing large titanium components – from golf clubs to complex aircraft wing parts at supersonic speeds. It can print metal bike frames in around 25 minutes.
TAUV Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Land Forces, 2018.
According to a recent market research, the soldier systems market is projected to grow from USD$9.78 billion in 2018 to USD$14 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 7.65%1. Working closely with Force Ordnance, TAUV will be providing next-generation, lightweight, high-performance defence products using advanced TKF additive manufacturing techniques.
TAUV Director, Nthan Kalisch, Director of TAUV, explained: "The solder system products produced by Titomic's TKF process will enhance the offering to defence and law enforcement agencies through improved strength, functionality and capability. A new ruggedised UAV will be capable of deployment in dangerous, live combat situations to perform some of the direct combat roles we want to remove military personnel from, heightening their security."
Titomic today also announces the appointment of Mr. Jeffrey Lang as Managing Director and resignation of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Gilbert Michaca.
Posted in 3D Printer Company
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