ANCA, a Melbourne-based manufacturer of CNC grinding machines, has developed a hybrid 3D printing system for manufacturing custom-designed machining tools. Prior to taking its new platform to market, ANCA will collaborate with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Sutton Tools to improve the 3D printing process. It will also receive support and […]
Australia: Titomic Unveils Largest 3D Printed UAV, Over 1.8 Meters in Diameter
Titomic, is unveiling what they claim to be the largest titanium 3D printed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at over 1.8 meters in diameter (almost six feet). Created at Titomic’s research and development facility in Melbourne, Australia, the UAV was printed on the TKF 9000, with their proprietary technology, Titomic Kinetic Fusion
(TKF), using titanium as the material for a rugged vehicle prototype meant for future applications in the military or law enforcement.
The UAV, benefiting from all the advantages of 3D printing with metal, is both strong and lightweight and can be easily fortified for live combat situations offering both durability and protection for soldiers. Drones are a common type of unmanned vehicle, often directed by remote control or a computer which may be located on board.
Potential is expanding for UAVS rapidly, although their uses have been primarily military. With metal 3D printing, companies and organizations like the military can make armaments on demand, and quickly. With the use of titanium for this endeavor, Titomic is demonstrating how their new technology can integrate materials historically known to be challenging due to affordability issues and size limits.
“Besides a relatively high melting point, titanium’s corrosion resistance and strength-to-density ratio is the highest of any metallic element. Titanium is also 60% denser than aluminum and twice as strong,” states Titomic on their website.
This should be encouraging to other companies interested in taking advantage of this material, although they may have been previously restricted to the use of more fragile plastic or heavier metal. With TKF, titanium powder particles are sprayed at supersonic speed, fusing together and consequently, forming enormous 3D printed parts.
“We’re excited to be working with the global defense industry to combine Australian resources, manufacturing and innovation which will increase our sovereign capability to provide further modern technology for Australia and its defense force,” said Titomic Managing Director Jeff Lang.
TKF came onto the industrial market a couple of years ago, and in that time, Titomic has not only continued to expand commercialization, but they have also secured patents in both the US and Australia. Co-developed and licensed with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), this unique process is behind the manufacturing of metal parts, and also surface coatings like nickel, copper, scandium, and other alloys like stainless steel. Numerous metals and materials can be melded into singular, high-performance parts.
3D printing brings something to nearly every industry today, from furthering aerospace endeavors to helping fashion designers and creators around the world break artistic barriers. But when it comes to fabrication with metal, users—often larger industrial companies—are looking forward to power. And this is demonstrated in the additive manufacturing hardware, a vast array of metal powders offering strength, as well as new techniques allowing companies to produce strong yet lightweight parts that may not have been possible previously.
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[Source / Images: Titomic]
Titomic Licenses Two CSIRO Patents for 3D Printing Titanium Piping, Signs Acquisition Agreement with FTT
CSIRO’s Keith McLean, Titomic’s Jeff Lang, and FTT’s Peter Mews sign agreement
Renowned for its metal Kinetic Fusion (TKF) technology, Australian 3D printing company Titomic recently signed an MoU with China’s largest manufacturer and global exporter of titanium powder in order to secure a high quality supply of low-cost, commercially pure titanium powders. It’s clear that the company is continuing to focus on titanium resources – it has licensed two new patents from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for the production of titanium pipe and continuous pipe. This Exclusive License Agreement with CSIRO gives Titomic global rights to the patents, which will significantly open the company’s revenue opportunities in several industries, like defense, marine and mining, and oil and gas.
Additionally, Titomic has signed an Acquisition Agreement with Future Titanium Technologies (FTT). The company is now entitled to over eight years of exclusive 3D printing techniques and background IP relating to the production of pipes and their components.
“This is a significant expansion of Titomic’s IP and associated revenue opportunities. By adding these two new patents we are broadening our footprint in the Titanium and Titanium Alloys Additive Manufacturing space to firmly secure our future market segments,” said Titomic’s Managing Director Jeff Lang.
“Our fundamental strategy has been well timed and managed to perfectly combine the securing of cost-effective metal powder supply chain, with the expansion of our IP portfolio positioning Titomic as the global leader in viable metal Additive Manufacturing.
“To capitalise on the significant $300+ Billion global interest Titomic has received from the Oil & Gas, Mining, and Marine industries to provide more sustainable and cost-effective AM manufacturing, these new TKF technologies enable Titomic to provide viable digital manufacturing capabilities leading to significant short, mid and long-term revenue opportunities.”
Titomic’s fast 3D printing technology, which is actually the result of a CSIRO study, can now be used by industries looking to access next generation, dual-wall materials to 3D print metal pipe without having to worry about profile or size constraints.
For instance, the oil and gas industry is uses plenty of valves, but their lifecycle can be negatively impacted by abrasive matter like rock, sand, and sediments that run through pipes during extraction. Using these newly licensed patents, Titomic can use its technology to produce metal pipes with higher corrosion and wear resistant properties; additionally, the process can also fuse dissimilar metals together to make fitting components and pipes.
“Working with companies like Titomic shows that manufacturing remains a key driver in the Australian economy,” said Stefan Gulizia, Research Group Leader at CSIRO. “We are pleased that Titomic are licensing the rights to utilise and further commercialise CSIRO research in developing new products and processes that go towards supporting productivity gains, boosting sustainability and helping capture emerging opportunities in local and global markets.”
Thanks to the important performance factors like cost, quality, scale, speed, and sustainability, Titomic will now be able to commercially exploit its TKF technology. Pipe and fitting component consumers will be able to save on both time and money, as maintenance costs and down time will decrease and parts will have longer life cycles. Additionally, TKF can also be used to 3D print valves, fitting components, and pipes with new superalloys, and can even combine them with polymers, composites, ceramics, and alloys to achieve high performance properties.
McLean, Lang, and Mews holding the sprayed pipe section.
The most important transaction terms of the new Acquisition Agreement with FTT include Titomic allotting $400,000 worth of its shares to FTT shareholders for $2.00 per share, half of which will be escrowed for a year. For every two shares, Titomic will also issue one new option to FTT shareholders, at an excerisable price set at a 130% premium to the share price with a two-year life.
In terms of its Exclusive License Agreement with CSIRO, Titomic will pay the following minimum annual royalties to CSIRO:
- $50,000 for 2018-2019
- $75,000 for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021
- $150,000 for 4th year of agreement, and each subsequent agreement year until the end of the license term
CSIROs Keith McLean, Titomic’s Jeff Lang, and FTT’s Peter Mews celebrate the collaboration.
Additionally, Titomic will pay CSIRO an upfront fee of $125,000 cash for licensing the technologies.
To hear the rest of the terms, visit Titomic’s website.
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[Images provided by Titomic]
Titomic licenses two exclusive CSIRO patents for pipe additive manufacturing
Metal additive manufacturing company Titomic, that owns the exclusive rights to the Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) process, has licensed two new patents from the Australian Government’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The new IP relates to the additive production of titanium pipes, valves and continuous pipelines for oil & gas, petrochemical, water, power, mining […]