Australian metal additive manufacturer AML3D introduced its WAM® wire arc additive manufacturing systems as it reported A$16.5 million in orders in hand in its half-year results ending December 31, 2025, featuring a wire-fed, arc-based process for building large metal structures. The company said the order book positions it for a stronger second half of fiscal 2026 despite a 30% revenue dip tied to material and schedule delays.
WAM® uses welding wire rather than powder to deposit large-format stainless steel and nickel-alloy components layer by layer, a method suited to shipbuilding and defense parts where size and structural integrity matter. AML3D has refined machine controls and digital workflows to meet defense quality standards and is winning contracts with U.S. naval and shipbuilding customers.
For manufacturers and defense supply chains, WAM® promises lower waste, simpler material handling, and faster repair or replacement of large components, aligning with a trend toward localizing production of critical infrastructure. AML3D’s order momentum signals growing demand for wire-based large-part AM in naval and utilities sectors.
Image Credit: AML3D
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Wire-arc Large-format Additive Manufacturing
- Wire-arc large-format AM demonstrates cost-effective fabrication of multi-ton stainless steel and nickel-alloy structures with substantially lower material waste than powder-based alternatives.
- Localized Production of Critical Infrastructure
- A shift toward localizing production is reducing supply-chain lead times for oversized components, supporting on-site repair and rapid replacement of essential naval and utility assets.
- Digital Controls and Defense-grade Workflows
- Refined machine controls and certified digital workflows are delivering repeatable, auditable build quality that aligns with military procurement and regulatory requirements.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Shipbuilding and Naval Contractors
- Large-format wire-fed AM presents the potential for producing hull sections, propulsion components, and repair patches with lower logistical overhead and fewer jointed assemblies.
- Utilities and Energy Infrastructure
- On-site manufacture of oversized metal components for power plants and grid equipment could reduce outage durations and dependency on long-range transport of spares.
- Defense Supply Chains
- Localized, certified additive systems offer the prospect of decentralized production hubs that can meet strict traceability and qualification standards for military parts.
