Brightlands Materials Center and TNO support ministry of Defence with 3d printing knowledge

In the field of Additive Manufacturing, Brightlands Materials Center can draw from an outstanding knowledge base to support the Ministry in selecting materials and the application of 3D printing. TNO, as strategic partner of the Ministry of Defence, combines its comprehensive knowledge of the Ministry's materials and equipment with its years of experience designing and applying advanced 3D printing equipment.

The Ministry has been experimenting with a 3D printer for a number of years now. Logistical advantages and increased operational performance are considered key benefits.

The first experiments with 3D printing of plastic parts, among other places in Mali, have proven highly successful. To build on this success, the Ministry of Defence would like to broaden out the use of this technology in its organisation to include more materials and a wider range of applications. BMC and TNO will offer support with the development of such materials and any possible combinations, whilst closely monitoring and safeguarding both durability and sustainability.

A range of materials will be analysed over the next few months, many of which the Ministry of Defence hopes to use in the near future. This research will also be extended to making appropriate materials available to suit all applications.