MetalWorm, a manufacturer of wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) machines, helps Nurol Makina, a manufacturer of defense equipment, produce a critical connection component.
The manufactured part passed extensive field and laboratory tests, meeting all required standards. Weighing approximately 8.5 kg and produced with WAAM technology using additional steel filler material, the component was later machined to its final geometry through conventional subtractive methods. Detailed analyses were carried out on the part both in laboratory settings and under real field conditions. The main goal of this study was to evaluate whether WAAM technology could serve as a valid and reliable alternative to traditional manufacturing techniques in the defense industry.
The part successfully passed both destructive and non-destructive tests and was installed on an armored vehicle, where it was tested under field conditions for a period of eight months. Post-test inspections revealed no issues or failures. All tests concluded with consistent and reliable results.
This study has demonstrated that WAAM technology can be effectively used in real-world operational conditions for high-security and high-performance applications such as armored vehicle components. The mechanical and metallurgical performance obtained suggests that WAAM can play a significant role in new product development and prototype production within the defense sector. Especially in cases of low-volume production, custom-designed parts, and urgent delivery needs, WAAM offers significant advantages.
MetalWorm continues to expand the application areas of WAAM technology through collaborations with companies from various industries including defense, aerospace, space, energy, maritime, and machinery manufacturing. In these projects, specially designed parts are included in the production process for field testing and supported with performance analysis.
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