Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg announced a collaboration with German industrial 3D printing suppliers EOS and AMCM to integrate metal additive manufacturing into its defense and security programs. According to the company, Kongsberg has acquired two multi-laser printing systems to be installed at its main production facility in Norway, which will be utilized to manufacture technology demonstrators, product qualifications, and flyaway defense hardware.
KONGSBERG press release:
KONGSBERG is collaborating with Germany’s EOS and its affiliate AMCM, leading suppliers of industrial 3D printing solutions, to accelerate the adoption of metal additive manufacturing across its defence and security programs. As part of this collaboration, KONGSBERG has acquired two advanced multi-laser metal AM systems from EOS and AMCM, enabling faster innovation cycles, increased design freedom with new agile production technology and increased production capacity and capabilities.
The investment supports KONGSBERG’s broader digital transformation strategy. AM enables KONGSBERG to utilize digital design and digital manufacturing, move beyond traditional manufacturing constraints and significantly shorten product development timelines with accelerated innovation cycles. By integrating AM into its product development and manufacturing processes, KONGSBERG gains rapid access to high-quality hardware produced earlier in the design cycle – ultimately increasing KONGSBERG defense delivery capabilities.
“Additive Manufacturing is opening a whole new opportunity to challenge the traditional design- and manufacturing process moving forward and represents a new way of thinking in design and manufacturing,” said Sverre Ulland, SVP Strategic Production at KONGSBERG’s Missiles & Aerostructures division.
“As we implement the tools and the way of working in our organization, the limiting factor will probably be the designer’s imagination and not the technology.”
Initially, two multi-laser Additive Manufacturing machines from AMCM shall be installed in KONGSBERG’s main production facility in Norway. The investments include the AMCM M 4K, the AMCM M 290-2 1KW and associated equipment. The equipment allows KONGSBERG to print full-scale sections for technology demonstrators, product qualifications and flyaway hardware.
Beyond the provision of technology, EOS and AMCM will support KONGSBERG throughout the initial implementation phases, working closely with EOS’s Additive Minds consulting unit to integrate additive manufacturing as a robust design and production methodology.
“Establishing additive manufacturing as a reliable and scalable production technology requires close collaboration across technology, application development and industrialization,” said Markus Glasser, SVP EMEA at EOS. “Together with KONGSBERG, we are building a long-term partnership that combines advanced AM technology with deep application expertise from our Additive Minds team to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing across their design and production processes.”
About EOS
EOS provides responsible manufacturing solutions via industrial 3D printing technologies to organizations around the world. Since 1989, EOS has shaped the future of manufacturing by enabling its customers to innovate and differentiate through expert guidance, technology and services, leveraging its end-to-end additive manufacturing (AM) industry partnerships. From strategy to education to production, EOS is the leading global partner for both metal and polymer AM solutions, accelerating time-to-market for its customers through high-quality production efficiencies and sustainable solutions.
About AMCM
AMCM (Additive Manufacturing Customized Machines) provides customized metal 3D printing machines, ranging from selectively enhanced systems to fully re-engineered machines designed around specific customer requirements. Based on proven EOS technology and processes, AMCM adapts key parameters such as laser concepts, thermal management, spot sizes, and build volumes to unlock new applications and optimize performance. Headquartered in Starnberg, Germany, AMCM is part of the EOS GmbH.