Optomec Partners with Phillips Federal to Bring Metal Additive to U.S. Government

Optomec has signed a partnership agreement with Phillips Federal. The agreement will enable Phillips Federal to resell the Optomec Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) systems to U.S. government facilities. The Optomec LENS family offers a full range of additive manufacturing solutions for creating, enhancing and repairing metal components using high-powered lasers to build structures layer by layer directly from powdered metals, alloys, ceramics or composites.

“The agreement enables Phillips to continue to provide the best additive manufacturing solutions to maintain the readiness of the military and advance the research and development of new innovations and ideas throughout our government,” says Mr. John Harrison, vice president of Phillips Federal.  “We’ve seen an increase in the demand for additive manufacturing solutions and our partnership with Optomec will allow us to continue to offer a full range of solutions.”
 
Optomec LENS systems use a form of metal 3D printing known as Directed Energy Deposition (DED), which is complementary to the more common form of metal printing called Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), or Selective Laser Melting (SLM). Using DED, LENS is able to print full parts at a fraction of the time and cost of systems based on PBF/SLM, yet with better material and mechanical properties and less material waste. Additionally, LENS is able to add metal to existing parts for repair and coating applications that cost-effectively extend the useful life of components. 
 
“Our partnership with Phillips Federal will take the LENS technology to U.S. government facilities enabling them to achieve multiple strategic objectives. Additive manufacturing technology will improve maintenance and repair operations, get equipment operational faster, and improve supply chain capability all at significantly lower cost than traditional methods,” says Jamie Hanson, VP of Business Development at Optomec. “Phillips has a very long and successful track record of working closely with customers to achieve their objectives, and together with Optomec, we expect to make a significant impact.”  

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Phillips Federal

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