The first iterations of 3D printing can be traced back to the early 1980s, when product designers were on a mission to develop a rapid prototyping system. By coming up with a layer-by-layer method for manufacturing that could process extremely fast with great accuracy, 3D printing was able to evolve into something that the everyday person could get their head around. 

Fast forward 40 years, 3D printing has gotten quicker and more efficient, and there is now a wide variety of 3D printing materials that can be used and operated even by individuals at home. Since becoming mainstream, its use has turned towards industrial applications. One company taking advantage of the technology in 3D printers is AML3D (ASX: AL3), where they have developed and patented technology used for large-scale manufacturing primarily using metal as its printing material. 

The Company’s sole speciality is large-scale printing, which allows for printing metal components in any size, shape or form. This has caught the attention of one of Australia’s leading energy companies, AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL), where AML3D has entered into a purchase agreement to supply AGL with 3D printed replacement parts to be used in their power plants. Under the agreement, the Company will deliver products from its Adelaide facility on an ‘on demand’ basis.

There has been an agreed initial purchase order where AML will manufacture impeller blades used in high power generators which will be produced from a high-value nickel aluminium bronze material that can withstand the high torque produced by industrial-sized pumps. The purchase order value is $55,000, which will not materialise in AML3D’s forecasted revenue. 

Being the sole provider of replacement parts, the Company will collect and develop all components of the operation in a power plant and store them in their own library. In the case of any shutdowns or faults from a damaged part, AML can respond efficiently to print the replacement part and cut down the repair time significantly. 

“AML3D looks forward to being a valuable, high quality and efficient supplier of parts to the energy sector, with materially better sustainability and environmental outcomes compared to traditional component part suppliers,” said AML3D Managing Director, Andrew Sales. 

“Over the coming months, we will work with our customer to undertake a 3D scanning program of their inventory to build a digital library of parts for future supply.”

Since listing on the ASX in April 2020 at a price of $0.20, shares rocketed to a high of $0.73 in less than 6 months. Since then, however, shares have fallen significantly to sit at $0.09 at the time of writing.