GoProto ANZ, an Australian 3D printing and manufacturing service bureau, announced the successful delivery of locally printed 3D products to Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) as part of its Land 400 Phase 3 offer to Australia. GoProto is the first Melbourne-based 3D printing provider to work with RDA and provide critical product for its LYNX KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
On the back of the Land 400 Phase 3 roadshow for Australia’s acquisition of up to 450 IFVs, GoProto successfully engaged with RDA’s Team Lynx using a range of digital technologies to inspire design prototypes for innovative solutions. GoProto 3D printed a range of functional PA12 components with Multi-Jet Fusion technology with properties to rival injection moulding. Delivered components included handles and communications panels.
RDA will embark on an extensive user testing analysis to select the best solution among three rugged yet lightweight communications panels for soldiers’ rapid dismounting within vehicles. Three LYNX vehicles are currently competing in Risk Mitigation Activity trials conducted in Australia. This extensive testing regime, considered world leading, is putting the vehicles through a range of trials including lethality, mobility and blast tests.
If successful, the LYNX fleet will be manufactured in Queensland at Rheinmetall’s new Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence at Redbank south west of Brisbane. The signing of the Hungarian Armed Forces as the first LYNX customer also means Australian SMEs will see future potential export opportunities for Australia.
Simon Marriott, Managing Director of GoProto ANZ said: “GoProto’s 3D printing technology allowed quick, clear and efficient communication around the design of the vehicle connectivity package involving teams juggling work from home lockdowns in different states.
As a SME offering local additive manufacturing services, we are able to respond quickly to design challenges and put different prototypes with full production functionality into the hands of the Rheinmetall team. We look forward to more opportunities to incorporate 3D printing as an Australian industry capability with Rheinmetall and a sovereign advantage for the Australian Defence Force.”
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