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Nuburu blue laser delivery sparks AM platform development

The new AM platform is designed to produce high-quality parts for use in various major industrial markets, including automotive, aerospace, and defence. (Image: Nuburu)

The new AM platform is designed to produce high-quality parts for use in various major industrial markets, including automotive, aerospace, and defence. (Image: Nuburu)

Nuburu has started delivering blue laser technology to Essentium, an industrial additive manufacturer, as part of a multi-million-dollar agreement to develop a blue laser-based metal additive manufacturing (AM) platform.

The agreement, formed in May last year, aims to integrate Nuburu’s blue lasers with Essentium’s High Speed Extrusion (HSE) 3D printing technology to create a new AM platform. 

The platform is designed to produce high-quality parts for use in various major industrial markets, including automotive, aerospace, and defence.

Dr Mark Zediker, CEO and Co-Founder of Nuburu said: “We are excited to have delivered our first units to Essentium, and we look forward to delivering additional units over the course of 2023 and the coming years.”

Nuburu’s approach to additive manufacturing leverages blue light absorption by metal, which it says offers efficient laser-based melting for a range of industrially important metals

“Nuburu's unparalleled expertise and leadership in blue laser technology have been instrumental in advancing our cutting-edge 3D printing platform,” said Elisa Teipel, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Essentium. “The arrival of the latest units this year and our partnership with Nuburu will help us continue to drive innovation in the AM industry.”

Additionally, Essentium will receive access to Nuburu’s intellectual property-related blue laser technology, including patents granted in the United States, Japan, China, and South Korea.

Nuburu has also signed a joint technology agreement with additive manufacturer GE Additive to explore the speed, accuracy, and commercial benefits of blue laser-based metal 3D printing. 

As per the agreement, GE Additive will contribute a power bed system for Nuburu’s blue laser-powered 3D printer light engine, and help the firm to integrate and characterise the prototype.

“Working with GE Additive, and their expertise in metal additive manufacturing, will allow us to rapidly optimise our innovative area printing approach,” said Dr Mark Zediker, CEO and co-founder of Nuburu. “This will accelerate the further expansion of our pioneering blue laser into innovative metal 3D printing solutions which have the potential to change the landscape of military logistics; aerospace manufacturing; medical device fabrication, and beyond.”

The agreement comes in addition to another between the two firms that GE Additive will support Nuburu’s AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract, which was awarded in 2022.

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