Massivit claims it could save defence and aeronautical companies "months and millions" with the launch of a new composite manufacturing platform.
The Israel-based 3D printing company has announced its new RapidWings offering in response to increased demand for manufacturing services from defence customers in Europe, the USA, Southeast Asia, and India.
The platform is based on Massivit's proprietary Cast-In-Motion (CIM) technology and is designed to speed up production lead times for composite tooling. The company says some processes can now take just days versus months and early partners have reported up to 70% cost savings versus conventional metal and machinable-board tooling.
In a press release, Brigadier General, Chris Athearn, USAF (Ret.), who was appointed to Massivit's Advisory Board earlier this month, said, “Today, the greatest weapon is the factory — the ability to generate weapons faster than we expend them. Massivit has a unique capability to significantly shorten manufacturing timelines which increases capacity and the ability to replenish weapons stores faster. The US Defense Industrial Base is desperate for innovation that accelerates hardware to the field. Industrial collaboration between our allies is how we all win.”
Massivit says the platform is already operational in Israel but aims to establish a global network of local, on-demand, sovereign production facilities which will embed its CIM technology. The network will be made up of regional partnerships, Joint Manufacturing Alliances, and certified Tier-2 composite manufacturing facilities. The first JMA is with Comparts, an Israeli manufacturing company specialising in composite materials, which partnered with Massivit last September to establish an advanced manufacturing centre to help strengthen the supply chain for defence and aerospace. Massivit says programs completed so far have resulted in 40–70% reduction in tooling costs compared to conventional methods.
Massivit CEO Yossi Azarzar has said the launch also marks a shift in Massivit's focus from a provider of additive manufacturing systems to a 'defence manufacturing platform'.
Azarzar said, "By cutting manufacturing times, RapidWings’ proprietary technology could save defence and aeronautical companies months and millions. RapidWings marks a strategic milestone for Massivit as we pivot from providing industrial 3D printers to delivering a much-needed defence manufacturing platform that overcomes bottlenecks and empowers manufacturers to scale."
