Republic of Korea Marine Corps Certifies Meltio’s Wire-Laser Technology for Advanced Military Manufacturing!

Meltio, a leader in metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology, has announced that its innovative wire-laser technology has been certified by the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. This certification follows successful validations by military forces across the U.S., France, Spain, and various others in the EMEA region. The collaboration marks a significant advancement for the South Korean military, as the Marine Corps becomes the first to adopt robot-based metal 3D printing technology, thereby improving operational efficiency and logistics.

The new technology enables the production of hard-to-procure and discontinued parts, a capability that is essential for enhancing field operability and ensuring vehicle mobility. This shift to in-house 3D metal printing is also poised to reduce costs, minimize reliance on external supply chains, and provide stable maintenance support across military operations. For the first time, the Korean Army has integrated metal additive manufacturing (AM) solutions for spare parts and repairs, increasing their autonomy over traditional, more expensive manufacturing processes.

This major step forward was made possible through Meltio’s collaboration with AM Solutions, which has helped extend this initiative to the Korean Army. The Meltio system utilizes laser wire directed energy deposition (LW-DED), a highly advanced metal AM technique. LW-DED works by melting metal wire with a laser beam to layer and build three-dimensional structures, significantly reducing material waste compared to other metal AM technologies. The technology offers cost-effective, high-quality production, capable of working with various metal alloys, including stainless steel, titanium, copper, and Inconel.

In addition to the LW-DED technology, Meltio has introduced its Meltio Integration Kit for Industrial Robots, which enables existing industrial robotic arms to be converted into metal 3D printing systems. This system eliminates size constraints, offering a scalable solution for large-scale printing, repair, cladding, and adding features to existing parts. It integrates seamlessly with robotic arms from leading manufacturers such as ABB, Kuka, Fanuc, and Yaskawa, and is supported by Meltio’s intuitive Meltio Space slicer software for robotic systems.

Through this innovative partnership, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps plans to expand its maintenance support capabilities, operating mobile metal precision processing machines and generators over the next two years. The initiative is set to enhance the military’s flexibility, enabling them to respond rapidly to equipment needs in the field. As a result, this move is not only a milestone in military logistics but also a strong step towards the future of advanced manufacturing technology within the defense sector.

By embracing Meltio’s technology, the Korean military strengthens its self-sufficiency in manufacturing critical parts and components, ensuring greater operational efficiency and readiness in times of need. This collaboration demonstrates the significant role that metal additive manufacturing will play in transforming defense manufacturing capabilities in the coming years.