NUBURU Completes U.S. Air Force Contract

NUBURU, Inc., innovator in high-power and high-brightness industrial blue laser technology, announces the successful completion of the AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force to the company in 2022. NUBURU, supported by GE Additive, a leader in metal additive manufacturing, successfully demonstrated blue laser-based 3D printing solutions with area printing technology as set forth in the Contract as the goal for the project.

This first demonstration of using a blue laser beam shaped with a digital micromirror device to print a part in stainless steel marks a milestone in the development of a 3D printing light engine for incorporation into large-scale additive manufacturing systems. NUBURU and GE Additive also signed a joint development agreement in June of 2023 to accelerate the development of print engine technology that may result in improved speed and accuracy for laser-based additive manufacturing.

“We are excited to announce that we have successfully demonstrated the ability to print in metal with a scalable blue laser DMD architecture that will allow much faster printing speeds, as well as lower defect density than today’s 3D metal printers,” says Brian Knaley, CEO of NUBURU. “Achieving this milestone is critical to accelerate the implementation of blue laser technology into large scale additive manufacturing systems for defense, aerospace and several other critical markets.”

With conventional hatching strategies, the down-skin zones are exposed as separate areas. The process parameters in the internal area of the part and in the down-skin area are usually different. This leads to a sharp overhang and thus to increased porosity in the core-to-skin overhang areas. With Genesis 4, there is a continuous reduction of energy input in overheated zones. No sharp transition areas are formed, reducing the risk of porosity in the overhang areas.  

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.