--- title: "AML3D’s expanding WAM empire" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/aml3ds-expanding-wam-empire/ date: 2025-09-22 modified: 2025-09-21 lang: en author: "Tess Boissonneault" description: "When it was founded just over a decade ago, Australian company AML3D saw an opportunity to adapt traditional arc welding technology and transform it into an additive manufacturing process that..." categories: - "Executive Interviews" - "Maritime Industry" - "Metal Additive Manufacturing" - "Sponsored" tags: - "Featured" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-21-at-18.18.25-640x424.jpeg word_count: 1248 --- # AML3D’s expanding WAM empire When it was founded just over a decade ago, [Australian company AML3D](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/aml3d/) saw an opportunity to adapt traditional arc welding technology and transform it into an additive manufacturing process that enables the freeform production of metal structures and parts. Today, the company’s patented process, Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM), has given this ability to a range of end users, most notably in the maritime industry. AML3D’s WAM process, commercialized [through its ARCEMY platforms](https://www.voxelmatters.com/aml3d-brings-largest-custom-arcemy-system-online/), rapidly and economically produces near-net-shape parts using an electric arc and certified welding wire feedstock. The nature of the process, which uses a localized inert gas shield, means that users are not bound by the size constraints associated with an enclosed build chamber, and can print large-scale, freeform parts safely and efficiently. Moreover, the DED-based technology is compatible with a wide range of materials, including exotic metal alloys. AML3D itself has tested over 30 different certified wire feedstocks, including aluminum, titanium, copper and nickel alloys, as well as steel and stainless steel. For the maritime industry, which works with large-scale structures and tough metal alloys that can withstand corrosive, extreme environments, the ability to 3D print dense metal parts (and repair existing metal structures) from maritime-grade materials has been a huge boon. And that’s not to mention the greater production agility that [AML3D’s technology](https://www.voxelmatters.com/aml3d-and-arc-additive-limited-enter-distribution-partnership/) unlocks, allowing for the on-demand production of spare parts at the nearest port or even, in some cases, directly aboard ships. ![AML3D’s expanding WAM empire. The company is establishing itself as a key supplier of large-scale metal AM for maritime applications.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-21-at-18.18.37-scaled.jpeg) The impact of AML3D’s technology on the maritime sector is evidenced by the many partnerships the company has established, which in turn have led to it expanding far beyond its home-base of Australia, especially in the European and American markets. Last year, for example, the company raised AUD$30 million (~$19.5M)  in capital for the express purpose of scaling up its US, UK and European operations. This growth, which we’ll dive into in greater detail, is not only indicative of AML3D’s undeniable rise, but also of the growing interest and integration of metal AM within the maritime segment. ## Maritime AM on the homefront Unsurprisingly, [AML3D’s activities in the maritime sector](https://www.voxelmatters.com/aml3d-receives-letter-of-intent-from-us-navy/) started close to home. In 2020, AML3D entered into a partnership with BAE Systems Australia to investigate the use of its WAM technology for the prototyping of Hunter class frigate components. This collaboration, part of the Hunter Class Frigate Program, was key to showcasing WAM’s potential as a cost-effective manufacturing solution with the capacity to 3D print defense-grade maritime components. Since then, the company has deepened its ties to the local maritime industry, securing a contract by the Australian Government Defence Science and Technology Group to supply 3D printed components for testing in marine applications. The initial parts, manufactured at AML3D’s facility in Adelaide last year, were made from a NAB alloy and high-strength duplex steel alloy. ![AML3D’s expanding WAM empire. The company is establishing itself as a key supplier of large-scale metal AM for maritime applications.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-21-at-18.19.04.jpeg) ## A big entry in the US market For AML3D, the US market was an obvious target for expansion, with its massive maritime and defense industries. In the past year, significant inroads have been made on this front, not only through the opening of a new technology center in Ohio but also a number of partnerships and contracts with the US Navy and Department of Defense suppliers. Most recently, AML3D received a letter of intent from the US Navy detailing its plans to work with AML3D to support the US Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base through material characterization and parts manufacturing. In this context, AML3D will support the production of 400 3D printed parts in 2026, and up to 1,600 parts by 2030 for submarine and ship programs. In late July 2025, [AML3D also sold an ARCEMY Small system to Austal USA](https://www.voxelmatters.com/austal-usa-orders-portable-arcemy-small-from-aml3d/), which will be delivered to the US Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Virginia in early 2026. The compact machine, which is being mounted in a shipping container to facilitate rapid installation, is reportedly a precursor to a portable system that could be used in forward deployment by the US military. This recent order by Austal USA followed a partnership with the company dating back to a first MOU signed in 2019 with parent company Austal Limited, which was focused on the use of AM for maritime and defense applications. “The US is a critical market for AML3D, particularly in naval defence,” said Sean Ebert, AML3D Global CEO. “The interest from the US Navy and our work with Austal USA demonstrate how ARCEMY technology can solve real-world challenges—from building critical components faster, to reducing reliance on complex supply chains.” ![AML3D’s expanding WAM empire. The company is establishing itself as a key supplier of large-scale metal AM for maritime applications.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-21-at-18.18.53-scaled.jpeg) ## Building a strategic maritime presence in Europe While AML3D has been establishing its influential position in the American defense and maritime markets for the past several years, it has more recently made [growth within the UK and European markets](https://www.voxelmatters.com/aml3d-appoints-dmfg-as-european-distribution-partner/). In the last several months alone, AML3D has made new partnerships and ties, spurred by its plans to invest AU$5 million in a European technology base. In April, for instance, AML3D signed its first major UK defense contract worth AUD$830,000 (~$539K) with BAE Systems. Through this contract, AML3D will source 8.5 tonnes of Nickel Aluminum Bronze (NAB) wire feedstock, a critical material for maritime applications. Just last month, the company also enlisted Scotland-based Arc Additive Limited as a non-exclusive distribution partner in the UK and Europe, which will facilitate the adoption of ARCEMY systems by UK and European end users. This partnership was rapidly followed by another with Germany’s DMFG Solutions GmbH, which is AML3D’s second non-exclusive distribution partner in Europe. “Our expansion into Europe is more than a market entry—it’s about embedding AML3D’s ARCEMY technology into the heart of global shipbuilding and defence supply chains,” added Ebert. “The partnerships we’ve established ensure we can deliver local support, shorten production cycles, and contribute to more sustainable maritime manufacturing.” ## Transforming maritime with WAM The Australian, US and European maritime and defense markets all seek to benefit from the growing use of AML3D’s WAM process and ARCEMY solutions. As we saw, the technology has among the broadest material variety of any metal AM process and can make large-scale components (as well as repair existing components) with few size constraints. But those are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to benefits. WAM ushers in far greater supply chain agility, which is vital for defense and maritime end users who can minimize maintenance downtimes for vessels by printing parts on demand and close to the point of need, as well as overcome supply chain hurdles associated with obsolete or hard-to-source replacement parts. Beyond that, ARCEMY systems have a sustainable edge over more conventional manufacturing processes like CNC machining thanks to the additive nature of the technology, which minimizes material waste. (This also has clear cost benefits, since material consumption is kept to a minimum.) “Sustainability is not an afterthought — it’s at the core of AML3D’s mission,” Ebert added. “By enabling on-demand, near-net-shape production, we help maritime customers cut waste, reduce transport emissions, and deliver parts faster where they’re needed most.” Ultimately, AML3D has successfully positioned itself as a leading AM solution supplier for maritime and naval applications, not only in its home country of Australia, but increasingly in influential markets like the US and Europe. Going forward, AML3D is focused on deepening its existing partnerships as well as forging new alliances with shipbuilders, navies and industrial end users. Ebert concluded: “We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with large-scale additive manufacturing in maritime. As we scale across Europe and the US, we’re committed to redefining what’s possible for shipbuilders, navies, and industrial operators worldwide.”