Concept Laser
Concept Laser M2 Cusing machine
Concept Laser’s M2 cusing machine is NRL’s first laser powder-bed metals machine and will be used to produce stainless steel.
The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has strengthened its focus on additive manufacturing by taking on Concept Laser’s 3D metal printing technology for rapid prototyping and materials research.
NRL is the US Navy’s full-spectrum corporate laboratory, and conducts a broad-based program of scientific research for maritime application related to oceanic, atmospheric and space sciences.
Concept Laser’s M2 cusing machine is NRL’s first laser powder-bed metals machine and will be used to produce stainless steel. Alongside the M2, NRL will be using Concept Laser’s QM Meltpool 3D, to monitor the quality of their metal applications as they grow, and the CL WRX Parameter 2.0 software to enable researchers to freely design and develop custom parameters.
“We require a wide range of additive manufacturing capabilities, ranging from quality monitoring to process parameter development, and need an architecture conducive to that research and development effort,” said Dr Charles Rohde, NRL Acoustics Division.
While Concept Laser is excited that the US Navy’s designated research facility is to utilise its metal 3D printing technology, it hardly comes as a surprise. John Murray, President and CEO of Concept Laser, aware of the advantages involved with the technology, is confident an established researcher like the NRL will use the company’s products to their full potential.
“It is very exciting that the US Naval Research Laboratory is bolstering their focus on additive manufacturing,” said Murray. “There are so many advantages of 3D metal printing that our defence strategy could benefit from, including reduced lead time, less material waste, and printing complex geometries with no required assembly. NRL has a history of over 90 years of innovation in naval power and we look forward to hear how they will use 3D metal printing to break boundaries.”
The US Naval Research Laboratory has provided the advanced scientific capabilities required to strengthen the US’s position as a global leader in the naval sector for 90 years. Made up of over 2,500 staff, the Laboratory is located in southwest Washington D.C., with other major sites at the Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, and Montery, California.
