--- title: "Rheinmetall UK using miniFactory 3D printer for tank ducting" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/rheinmetall-uk-using-minifactory-3d-printer-for-tank-ducting/ date: 2026-06-18 modified: 2026-06-18 lang: en author: "Tess Boissonneault" description: "Rheinmetall UK, the primary defense contractor for the British Army, has made additive manufacturing an integral part of its Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank program. As the company recently revealed,..." categories: - "Case Studies" - "Defense" tags: - "top news" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rheinmetall-miniFactory-header-640x320.jpg word_count: 630 --- # Rheinmetall UK using miniFactory 3D printer for tank ducting [Rheinmetall UK](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/rheinmetall/), the primary defense contractor for the British Army, has made additive manufacturing an integral part of its Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank program. As the company recently revealed, it has installed [miniFactory’s Ignite 3D printer](https://www.voxelmatters.com/new-minifactory-ignite-3d-printer-launches-to-offer-more-size-capabilites/), an industrial large-scale polymer extrusion platform, and is using it to manufacture complex ducting components for the military vehicle.  The Challenger 3 is a British fourth-generation main battle tank that is being developed and manufactured by Rheinmetall UK and BAE Systems. Compared to previous military vehicle programs, for which established production processes for ducting had been sufficient (i.e. sheet metal fabrication) the upgraded tank features a new architecture that requires more complex ducting.  While [Rheinmetall UK](https://www.voxelmatters.com/anduril-and-rheinmetall-partner-to-design-and-manufacture-systems-for-european-defense/) could have turned to injection molding or rotational molding to produce the more complex and compact ducting, these manufacturing methods presented challenges in terms of cost and lead times due to the low-volume requirements of the tank programs. Moreover, opting for a more conventional approach would have locked the defense manufacturer into a specific ducting design, with little flexibility to make changes down the line. [![Rheinmetall UK using miniFactory 3D printing for main battle tank ducting](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rheinmetall-miniFactory-on-site.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rheinmetall-miniFactory-on-site.jpg) Considering these factors, additive manufacturing seemed a clear choice for the company, as it allows for economical low-volume production, eliminates the need for tooling, and facilitates design changes without adding costs. With AM in its view, the next step was for Rheinmetall to determine what type of 3D printing process to use. After exploring different options (FFF, SLS, SLA), the company ultimately chose to work with FFF thanks to its lower capital costs, limited safety and training requirements, and capabilities.  [![Rheinmetall UK using miniFactory 3D printing for main battle tank ducting](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/miniFactory-team-340x255.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/miniFactory-team.jpg) The Ignite 3D printer from [Finland-based miniFactory](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/minifactory/) was ultimately selected by Rheinmetall UK for a number of reasons. For one, the FFF system has the ability to process high-temperature materials like ULTEM 9085, which is required for the ducting components. It is also an open-materials system, which means that Rheinmetall can bulk order raw materials from its manufacturer of choice. With a large build size of 600 x 400 x 400mm, the system also enables batch production, ideal for achieving economic production.  Other reasons for choosing the Ignite, according to the defense company, include security, since the printers are manufactured in Finland, the availability of UK-based support, and competitive machine cost. Since installing miniFactory’s industrial 3D printer at its production facility, Rheinmetall UK has successfully applied the technology for making complex ducting. As Julian Wright, Technology Programmes Manager at Rheinmetall UK, says: “Additive Manufacturing is now the baseline solution for ducting manufacture in the Challenger 3 programme. The technology has enabled rapid design iteration, allowing us to implement design changes and produce replacement parts within a day. Beyond cost savings, the biggest benefits have come from reduced programme risk, improved cash flow through on-demand production, and the ability to continuously optimise both the product and the manufacturing process.” [![Rheinmetall UK using miniFactory 3D printing for main battle tank ducting](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rheinmetall-miniFactory-air-ducting.jpg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rheinmetall-miniFactory-air-ducting.jpg) Riku Hietarinta, Chief development officer at miniFactory, also commented: "The real success story is not the printer. The success story is that additive manufacturing is now delivering measurable value in production for one of the UK's most important defence programmes. Success comes from understanding the customer's challenges and building the right manufacturing solution together. When adoption happens the right way, the results speak for themselves." This use case is indicative of AM's growing significance in the [defense sector](https://www.voxelmatters.com/category/industry/defense/), especially as manufacturers aim to enhance supply chain resilience and efficiency. Just this month, we've covered a number of stories that reflect this trend. In Philadelphia, for instance, a team of engineers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center used AM to [replace an obsolete part](https://www.voxelmatters.com/us-navy-engineers-turn-to-additive-manufacturing-for-obsolete-boiler-components/) for a Boiler Combustion Monitoring System; in Australia, 3D printing was used to [solve a supply chain gap for submarine replacement parts](https://www.voxelmatters.com/qinetiq-delivers-hms-anson-submarine-parts-in-four-weeks/); and the US Air Force is preparing to [install 3D printed microvanes](https://www.voxelmatters.com/us-air-force-to-fit-entire-c-17-fleet-with-3d-printed-microvanes-within-a-year/) across its entire C-17 Globemaster III transport fleet.