By Industrial Print Magazine Staff
The military and defense sector is one of the largest beneficiaries of additive manufacturing (AM). Our February webinar and a feature article in the February issue of Industrial Print magazine goes into the advantages as well as challenges of utilizing this technology. Here, we include some of the three-dimensional (3D) printers poised to revolutionize this segment.
The EOS M 400-4 and EOS M 290 systems are the most commonly deployed in this the field and are currently utilized by military industrial bases for training purposes. The EOS M 300-4 and EOS M 400-4 systems are among the most widely used platforms for suppressor production, offering both scalability and consistency. Meanwhile, the EOS M 290 remains the preferred choice for research, development, and experimental applications due to its versatility and precision.
Conflux Technology’s core offering, its additively manufactured heat exchangers, are inherently suited to modern defense systems, where space, weight, and thermal demands are tightly constrained. As the company notes, its designs are engineered for aerospace, land based, and naval defense systems, combining compact form factors with resistance to shock and vibration. Because AM allows geometries to conform to available space, these exchangers can use previously inaccessible volumes within a system to maximize heat transfer. This is particularly valuable for the thermal management of electronics, radar, and propulsion systems in advanced military platforms. Conflux’s collaboration with GA-ASI further illustrates the role these technologies can play in next-generation defense and unmanned aerial systems—delivering the cooling performance required for higher power, more compact designs.
Craitor is a company built by warfighters, for warfighters, and every platform it develops—while dual use—is designed with defense needs first. The flagship system, FieldFab, is MIL-STD-810H compliant, capable of printing from -40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and can operate on the move in tactical vehicles. If a warfighter can get on site, FieldFab can manufacture critical parts there. Craitor’s software architecture reinforces this capability by automating quality assurance documentation and enabling zero-trust distribution of part files from OEMs to warfighters, including built-in usage controls and traceability. This not only protects intellectual property but also makes it possible to train operators in under 15 minutes, compared to the five to ten days typically required for other Department of Defense-used printers. It also creates a pathway for OEMs to monetize their digital parts as the military shifts to a fully digital supply chain.
Gefertec GmbH’s arc80X wire arc AM system is ideally suited for producing large-scale components and repairs in demanding environments. Looking ahead, Gefertec is also working on a containerized solution, which will enable fully mobile, field-ready manufacturing capabilities for military operations.
Lithoz’s CeraFab System S65 lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) printer is popular for the aviation sector. For example, Safran Aircraft Engines produced ceramic casting cores for its next generation turbines with the printer.
Meltio supplies wire-laser metal 3D printing solutions, which falls under directed energy deposition technology. Global supply chain disruptions threaten defense readiness. Meltio provides the solution—on demand metal part production with autonomous wire-laser metal 3D printing. The technology combines safety, reliability, and easy integration. With Meltio, defense forces now possess viable options to overcome supply chain fragility, extend platform lifecycles, and ensure availability of critical components in contested environments at the point of need. One example is the Meltio M600, with its built-in three-axis probing system and work-holding solutions, is the ideal companion for your manufacturing operations.
Nikon SLM Solutions’ laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) L-PBF systems, the SLM 280, SLM 500, NXG XII 600, and NXG 600E platforms offer multi‑laser, high productivity and scalability covering small, medium, and large format applications. Nikon AM offers a range of high-performance L-PBF systems well suited for defense use. For large format, high-throughput production, the NXG XII 600 provides a 2x2x2-foot build volume, while the NXG 600E extends vertical capacity to five feet—ideal for structural components in aerospace, naval, and missile programs. For medium format needs, the SLM 280 with dual lasers and the SLM 500 with four lasers deliver reliable, repeatable performance for complex part production. All platforms are built for scalability, process stability, and integration into secure, production-grade environments.
nScrypt manufactures precise additively manufactured electronic (AME) printers with multiple tool heads—and they are portable. Factories with clean rooms are great, but the real need is not inside the factory; it’s out there in the field. The company uses AME to repair and replace legacy boards and there are a ton of those boards. It also uses AME to repair and replace new boards.
UltiMaker’s Factor 4 and S series printers are particularly well suited for defense and aerospace environments. The UltiMaker Factor 4 is an industrial-grade system capable of printing advanced composites and engineering polymers, making it ideal for mission-critical components, tooling, and structural applications. It delivers the precision and repeatability required for certified production workflows, while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for defense facilities. Meanwhile, the UltiMaker S series, including the S6 and S8 systems that are also a part of the UltiMaker Secure line of 3D printers, is widely used across military and aerospace organizations for its ease of use, reliability, and versatility. These systems can operate securely in both connected and standalone configurations and support a range of materials, from durable nylons to carbon fiber composites. Both platforms combine robust hardware, intuitive software, and a secure ecosystem, giving defense organizations a trusted, field-proven solution to strengthen operational readiness and supply chain resilience.
Jan2026, Industrial Print Magazine
