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A defence supply chain crunch is forcing a rethink: what if you could manufacture certified metal parts closer to the shipyard, the depot, or even the operational edge, instead of waiting on long, fragile supplier queues? We sit down with Sean Ebert, CEO of AML3D Limited, to unpack how large-scale additive manufacturing and 3D metal printing are being put to work right now, not as a prototype, but as an operational capability.

We explore what AML3D actually does, from combining arc welding, metallurgical science, and software to produce industrial grade parts using wire feedstock, through to why open-air, large-format printing can matter for defence, aerospace, and oil and gas. Sean explains the significance of  ARCEMY® systems becoming operational at Newport News Shipbuilding, one of the biggest players in US naval construction, and what it means to be embedded in a vessel’s supply chain over its life. We also talk about the promise of faster delivery, including the claim of parts produced up to 75% faster than traditional manufacturing, and where that speed genuinely changes outcomes.

From there we get practical about scaling: doubling the Ohio facility, expanding production capacity, and balancing system builds with parts manufacturing. We also dig into one of the most compelling “point of need” stories, a fully containerised  ARCEMY® system built into a 20-foot shipping container at the US Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville with Austal USA, plus the real-world constraints like post-print machining and non-destructive testing.

If AUKUS and advanced manufacturing are on your radar, you’ll hear why AML3D sees itself positioned across Australia, the UK, and the US for both new build and sustainment work. Subscribe for more ASX-focused interviews, share this with a mate who follows defence tech, and leave a review with your biggest question about additive manufacturing.