AML3D Secures $1.7M US Defence Order, Expanding Industrial Manufacturing Footprint
AML3D Limited (ASX:AL3) has secured a significant $1.69 million order for its large-scale ARCEMY® X system from FasTech LLC, a US-based additive manufacturing supplier serving the Defence, Aerospace, and Energy sectors. The deal demonstrates how AML3D Ltd expands its manufacturing technology in the US beyond its established Defence sector success into broader industrial manufacturing markets.
FasTech, strategically located near the U.S. Navy Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Danville, Virginia, will receive the ninth ARCEMY® X system to be installed across the United States. The system will be supplied directly from AML3D's US Technology Centre in Stow, Ohio, with installation and operational readiness expected during Q3 FY2026.
To expedite delivery, AML3D will deploy a 6,000-pound (~2.7 tonne) positioner from its existing Stow facility fleet, ensuring FasTech can begin operations quickly whilst maintaining production capacity at the Technology Centre through a replacement system.
Strategic Market Expansion Beyond Defence
This FasTech partnership marks a pivotal expansion of AML3D's market reach in the United States. The company's established credentials in the US Defence sector now serve as a launching platform for accessing new industrial manufacturing segments. Furthermore, the FasTech relationship demonstrates how AML3D Ltd expands its manufacturing technology in the US across multiple high-demand sectors:
- Utilities sector manufacturing
- Commercial Aerospace applications
- Marine industry components
- Oil & Gas infrastructure parts
FasTech's diversified client base across these industrial sectors positions AML3D's ARCEMY® technology to validate its capabilities beyond military applications. Consequently, this could potentially unlock significant commercial opportunities across America's manufacturing landscape.
"The FasTech ARCEMY® X sale builds on AML3D's success in supporting the US Defence sector and demonstrates relevance to the broader US industrial manufacturing. ARCEMY® technology delivers large-scale industrial parts faster, using less energy, creating less waste and to a higher standard than traditional manufacturing processes," commented CEO Sean Ebert.
Understanding Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM®)
Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM®) represents AML3D's proprietary approach to metal 3D printing that differs significantly from powder-based systems commonly used in the industry. This technology forms the foundation of how AML3D Ltd expands its manufacturing technology in the US.
How WAM® Works
The WAM® process combines several advanced manufacturing principles:
- Uses metal wire feedstock instead of expensive metal powders
- Combines advanced welding science with robotics automation
- Builds large-scale parts layer by layer through controlled metal deposition
- Integrates materials engineering with proprietary software control
Why This Matters for Investors
WAM® technology offers several competitive advantages that translate to market differentiation and potentially higher margins. In addition, the wire-based approach typically costs less than powder systems, produces less waste, and can manufacture larger components than traditional additive manufacturing methods.
For industrial clients like FasTech, this means faster production cycles and lower operational costs compared to conventional casting, forging, or machining processes. The technology particularly excels in producing large-scale components – often weighing hundreds of kilograms.
These components would be challenging or impossible to manufacture using traditional powder-based 3D printing systems. However, this capability addresses a significant gap in the additive manufacturing market where demand for large, complex metal parts continues to grow across industrial sectors.
Growing US Market Presence
| Metric | Current Status | Growth Trajectory |
|---|---|---|
| US ARCEMY® Systems Installed | 9 systems (including FasTech order) | Expanding across multiple sectors |
| Geographic Coverage | Defence-focused installations | Broadening to industrial manufacturing |
| Revenue Stream | Equipment sales + contract manufacturing | Diversifying client base |
| Technology Centre Capacity | Stow, Ohio facility operational | Maintained through fleet management |
AML3D's US scale-up strategy encompasses both equipment sales and contract manufacturing services, creating multiple revenue streams whilst building a network of ARCEMY®-enabled third-party manufacturers. This comprehensive approach demonstrates how AML3D Ltd expands its manufacturing technology in the US by meeting growing demand whilst establishing deeper market penetration through strategic partnerships.
The Stow facility serves as both a manufacturing hub and technology demonstration centre, allowing potential clients to witness ARCEMY® capabilities firsthand. For instance, this hands-on approach has proven effective in converting Defence sector relationships into broader industrial partnerships.
Investment Thesis: Industrial Manufacturing Catalyst
The FasTech order validates AML3D's transition from a Defence-focused technology provider to a broader industrial manufacturing solution. Furthermore, several factors strengthen the investment case for shareholders monitoring market expansion.
Market Expansion Potential
The current expansion demonstrates significant growth opportunities:
- Proven Defence sector success provides credibility for industrial applications
- US manufacturing reshoring trends favour advanced local production capabilities
- Industrial sectors seek faster, more sustainable manufacturing alternatives to traditional methods
Technology Differentiation
WAM® technology offers substantial competitive advantages:
- The process offers cost and efficiency advantages over traditional casting and forging methods
- Large-scale manufacturing capability addresses market gap in additive manufacturing sector
- Industry 4.0 integration appeals to modern manufacturers seeking digital transformation solutions
Revenue Model Diversity
AML3D's business model creates multiple income streams:
- Equipment sales provide upfront revenue recognition upon delivery and installation
- Contract manufacturing creates recurring revenue streams through ongoing service agreements
- Technical support and consumables generate ongoing income throughout equipment lifecycle
The FasTech partnership particularly demonstrates AML3D's ability to leverage established Defence credentials to access new market segments. These sectors have similar requirements for high-quality, precision manufacturing capabilities.
What Does Market Context Reveal About US Manufacturing?
The timing of AML3D's US expansion aligns with significant trends reshaping American manufacturing. Supply chain disruptions and geopolitical considerations have accelerated reshoring initiatives across multiple industries, creating demand for advanced manufacturing technologies that can compete with overseas production.
Traditional manufacturing processes often require extensive lead times for tooling and setup, particularly for complex metal components. However, ARCEMY® systems offer manufacturers the ability to produce parts on-demand without traditional tooling requirements, reducing inventory costs and improving supply chain flexibility.
The energy sector represents a particularly compelling opportunity, with aging infrastructure requiring replacement parts. These components may no longer be readily available through traditional supply chains. ARCEMY® technology enables on-demand production of these critical components, potentially at lower costs than traditional procurement methods.
Why Should Investors Track AML3D's Progress?
AML3D has positioned itself at the intersection of several powerful industrial trends: manufacturing reshoring, additive manufacturing adoption, and sustainable production methods. Moreover, the company's expanding US footprint suggests strong execution of its international growth strategy whilst validating the commercial viability of its technology platform.
Key Tracking Points
Investors should monitor several critical milestones:
- Q3 FY2026 FasTech installation – operational milestone and revenue recognition
- Additional US industrial partnerships – market expansion indicators
- Technology Centre utilisation rates – demand validation metrics
- Geographic expansion beyond current US presence into other regions
The FasTech order demonstrates AML3D's ability to translate Defence sector success into broader commercial opportunities. With industrial manufacturers increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional casting and machining processes, AML3D's ARCEMY® systems offer compelling value propositions around speed, efficiency, and sustainability.
Manufacturing executives face increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints whilst maintaining cost competitiveness. In response, WAM® technology addresses both concerns by reducing material waste and energy consumption compared to traditional subtractive manufacturing methods that remove material from solid blocks.
The strategic location of FasTech near the U.S. Navy Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence provides additional validation of the technology's credibility within Defence circles. Furthermore, it offers potential for knowledge transfer and collaborative development opportunities.
AML3D's $1.7M FasTech order signals successful market expansion beyond Defence into US industrial manufacturing. With nine ARCEMY® systems now deployed across America and growing demand for large-scale additive manufacturing solutions, investors should monitor AML3D's ability to capitalise on industrial reshoring trends and sustainable manufacturing adoption.
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