David Budge

Aurora Labs has signed a partnership agreement with Fortescue Metals Group to explore the potential of its trailblazing 3D printing technology with a view to reducing production and operational costs in the mining and resources sector. Aurora’s ability to essentially “print” replacement mechanical parts quickly and accurately using its proprietary 3D printers could reduce costs and lead times normally required to procure specialist parts.

Sometime in the next few weeks, ASX listed tech company, Aurora Labs, is expected to officially launch its game changing, multi-level, 3D printer that is capable of printing about 30 layers in a single pass. The company says the new printer could drastically lower the cost of 3D printing. In the next six to twelve months, Aurora is also planning to introduce a full-sized, large format 3D printer that could print up to 100 layers in a single pass.

Aurora Labs has formed an equal joint venture with leading Australian mining services and engineering group, WorleyParsons, to provide 3D printing services to the oil and gas, mining and major infrastructure industries. This will allow the company to offer its innovate 3D printing technology and expertise to existing and new clients of WorleyParsons.

Aurora Labs has announced that its multi-level Rapid Manufacturing Technology is able to 3D print about 113kg of metal parts per day, an impressive 55 times faster than the general market speed. The company has flagged the potential to further increase its print speeds too by using two sub-units in its Alpha machine, which could almost double the speed capacity of the single unit configuration.

Aurora Labs has formed a collaboration with the University of Western Australia and Royal Perth Hospital to develop designs, specifications and parameters for the 3D printing of human medical implants. The company will provide one of its 3D printers, the metallic consumable powders used for 3D printing, and the assistance of its maintenance and technical staff as its contribution to the project.

Aurora Labs has successfully printed a series of 10mm high, titanium parts in just 20 minutes, proving the ability of its proprietary multi-level 3D printing technology to manufacture complex shapes at high speed. This outcome is another step towards its goal of using additive manufacturing to produce parts in a whole range of application. The company has also successfully printed an aluminium part with a high density of around 99%.

3D printing specialist Aurora Labs is closing in on the commercialisation of its revolutionary MCP 3D printing technology with the completion of its RMP1 Beta Printer. This pre-production machine can print parts with 10 times the volume of the earlier Alpha 2 test machine and will be almost identical to the company’s final production line machines, which are expected to become available later this year.

Aurora Labs has signed a memorandum of understanding with Swedish industrial company, Gränges AB, that could lead to further collaboration in the use of 3D printed aluminium in the automotive and other industries. Under the agreement, Gränges could also pre-order an Aurora RMP-1 Rapid Manufacturing Printer and supply its proprietary aluminium powder to the company.

Aurora Labs is proceeding with the commercialisation of its proprietary MCP 3D printing technology after its RMP1 Beta Printer completed full-size test prints as part of the commissioning process. Advanced discussions are already underway for the potential sale of the RMP1 Beta Printer to one of the company’s industrial partners while interest has been received from several potential customers for its upcoming production machines.

Aurora Labs may have underpinned the viability of the 3D printing industry by nailing the one thing that was holding the industry back – the speed to print items. The company has increased the speed of its 3D printing technology to 350kg per day, a 2215% increase in 12 months and is commercialising its proprietary printing technology after its RMP1 Printer completed full-size test prints as part of the commissioning process.

Aurora Labs will receive both ongoing income from operations and funds after the first sale of its unique RMP-1 Beta 3D printer to AdditiveNow, a company that it holds a stake in, alongside asset management and engineering giant, Worley. AdditiveNow is looking to provide 3D printing services to tier-1 energy, chemicals, resources and infrastructure clients and the deal represents a leap into commercialisation for Aurora.

Industrial technologist, Aurora Labs, is finding there is plenty of global market interest in its ground breaking, uber-fast RMP-1 metal 3D printer, with the company now in early negotiations with a number of industrial players wanting to know more about its printer’s capabilities. The WA outfit recently touched base with potential new clients at Formnext, the world’s leading additive manufacturing exhibition in Germany.

Aurora Labs has partnered with engineering firm Gränges AB to embark on a potentially lucrative research project that will investigate the possibility of commercialising Aurora’s 3D printing technology for the high value, high turnover automotive spare parts industry. The innovative pair will look to combine their expertise, potentially paving the way for significant sales of Aurora’s “RMP1” 3D metal printer into the car parts manufacturing industry.

Aurora Labs has executed a framework agreement with a global quality assurance provider to have the spare parts that are “printed” by its unique 3D metal printers certified. The agreement may enhance Aurora’s opportunity to break into markets such as the marine, aviation, and oil and gas industries where down time means money and the ability to create parts on-site is potentially revolutionary.

Aurora Labs has successfully completed a testing program of samples of corrosion-resistant, 316L stainless steel using the company’s patented multi-layered concurrent printing technology. The independent test results have exceeded ASTM standards in tensile and yield strength. The company said this was an important step towards demonstrating that its multi-layered concurrent proprietary technology is viable and efficient.

Aurora Labs has executed on a strategy to refresh its board in line with its vision to get set for the commercialisation of its 3D printing technology. Perth corporate finance player, Grant Mooney of Mooney & Partners corporate advisory is now in the Chair and COO Peter Snowsill will step up into the interim CEO role as founder and 3D printing specialist, Dave Budge moves into the role of Chief Technical Officer.