31/03/25
Meltio, headquartered in Linares, Spain, has reported that the Army of the Republic of Korea has certified the company’s wire-laser Directed Energy Deposition (DED) Additive Manufacturing technology for the production of spare parts and repairs. This marks the first time robot-based metal Additive Manufacturing technology has been adopted by the South Korean army, as well as the first time Meltio’s AM technology has been adopted by an army in Asia.
This achievement has been made possible through a collaboration agreement between Meltio and its Korean sales partner AM Solutions. It follows validation of the company’s technology by the US Navy, the French Navy, the Spanish Army, the Spanish Air Force, and other military forces across EMEA.
According to an extended article published by the South Korean magazine Kookbang and confirmed by AM Solutions, the Marine Corps Logistics Group is the first in the entire military to use robot-based metal Additive Manufacturing machines for logistics support. As a result, it has become possible to quickly manufacture repair parts that are discontinued or difficult to procure.
Lieutenant Colonel Kim Seong-nam, commander of the Republic of Korea’s army maintenance battalion, stated, “The introduction of metal 3D printers is significant not only for reducing operation and maintenance costs, but also for preventing delays in maintenance schedules due to limited procurement of repair parts.”
Daejung Kim, AM Solutions CEO, shared, “The successful introduction of Meltio’s outstanding technology into the Republic of Korea marks a significant milestone in local manufacturing innovation.” He also conveyed that this entry into the defence sector is just the beginning, and through a continuous partnership with Meltio, they aim to lead Republic of Korea’s advanced industries in other sectors requiring Additive Manufacturing.
Adam Hourigan, Meltio Sales manager for APAC region, added, “The defence sector is strategic for Meltio. Our technology is being validated by armies all over the world and for us it is very positive that thanks to collaboration agreements with relevant partners in Asia such as AM Solutions we are able to help with our different 3D metal wire welding printing solutions the army of the Republic of Korea to gain autonomy in manufacturing and creating metal parts in a reliable and sustainable way.”
Meltio’s technology turns an industrial robot arm into a metal Additive Manufacturing machine, eliminating inherent size constraints and allowing for large-scale metal Additive Manufacturing, including complex geometries. The Meltio Engine integrates with nearly any robotic arm manufacturer and interface available on the market. Its Meltio Space slicer software for robotic systems is fully compatible with ABB, Kuka, Fanuc, Yaskawa.
Meltio’s metal AM machines are capable of reliably producing metal parts using stainless steel, titanium, copper, Inconel, and a wide range of other metal alloys.
FR
