Aurora Labs has reached 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.
Gränges is a global supplier of aluminium products for heat exchanger and other niche markets.
The agreement also provides the framework for Gränges to pre-order an Aurora RMP-1 Rapid Manufacturing Printer and supply its proprietary aluminium powder to the company.
Future discussions could also lead to Gränges engaging Aurora to carry out research and development projects into the use of aluminium in additive manufacturing.
While the two companies are required to enter into negotiations for these future transactions under the five-year memorandum of understanding, the exact terms are only indicative until formal agreements are signed.
Aurora Managing Director David Budge said: “This is a remarkable relationship for Aurora and we are very pleased to partner with Gränges, a forward thinking and innovative company with products extensively placed across the automotive sector.”
“The proposed transactions, if consummated, could potentially be worth up to approximately USD$7.75m in revenue to Aurora.”
“Further, if Gränges purchases one of our RMP-1s, it will lead to some exciting and innovative developments in both the internal combustion engine and electric vehicle markets.”
“Aurora is expecting to see enormous growth in additive manufacturing through the automotive sector in coming years.”
The use of 3D printing in the automotive sector has gained traction in recent years with major manufacturers such as BMW using the technology to produce prototypes and for producing functional and decorative vehicle parts.
Supercar manufacturer Bugatti has also used 3D printing to produce titanium brake calipers for its ultra-fast Chiron hypercar.
Aurora recently unveiled its RMP1 Beta Printer, a pre-production machine that is almost identical to the company’s final production line machines and are expected to be available later this year.
RMP1 Beta has a print bed of 450mm by 400mm, can print parts with ten times the volume of the earlier Alpha 2 test machine and has three times the processing capacity of the previous machine.
The company’s memorandum of understanding with Gränges is a clear sign that its ground-breaking 3D printing technology, which allows multiple layers of metal 3D parts to be printed in a single pass, is under serious consideration by major manufacturers.
Further collaboration with Gränges, which claims to have its products in every second car produced in the world, could win Aurora serious exposure to the automotive industry.
By Matt Birney
