Portable aluminum 3D printing system enables rapid, on-site part production with non-explosive powder, redefining manufacturing in remote and demanding environments.
April 8, 2025 – Canada/Europe — Canadian aluminum powder specialist Equispheres has entered into a strategic partnership with Fieldmade, a developer of mobile 3D printing systems. The collaboration aims to broaden the use of Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technology, particularly in environments with limited or no traditional manufacturing infrastructure.
The focus of the partnership is Fieldmade’s NOMAD® 03 microfactory — a compact, deployable additive manufacturing system. Recently upgraded, the NOMAD 03 now supports the use of Equispheres’ non-explosive aluminum powder, NExP-1, for on-site production of aluminum components.
Portable Production with High Performance
NExP-1 powder offers tunable processing parameters that accelerate build speed, ensure consistent part quality, and improve reliability and repeatability. These advantages reduce lead times and lower the costs of delivering replacement parts.
“The demand for aluminum parts in the field has always been there,” said Svein A. Hjelmtveit, CTO of Fieldmade. “Our partnership with Equispheres enables us to meet that need. The non-explosive NExP-1 powder simplifies transportation and operation of the NOMAD 03 system, while delivering portability, speed, and premium quality — all without the need for special handling, storage, or extensive post-processing.”
Advanced Materials for Demanding Environments
The NOMAD 03 system has already integrated NExP-1 and is undergoing final validation testing. Commercial availability is expected by mid-2025. The powder is produced in North America using Equispheres’ proprietary manufacturing process. It is certified under ASTM E1226 for dust explosion resistance, ensuring safe handling in various environments.
Optimized for AlSi10Mg composition, NExP-1 supports high layer thickness and stable melt pool dynamics. This results in faster builds and robust mechanical properties.
“NOMAD 03 represents a breakthrough for remote operations that need fast access to spare parts,” said Sascha Rudolph, COO of Equispheres. “Instead of waiting weeks, aluminum parts can now be produced on-site in hours — often at a lower cost. This is a significant step forward in making additive manufacturing viable for remote and mobile applications.”
Broader Trends in Aluminum 3D Printing
This collaboration highlights a broader trend in the development of aluminum additive manufacturing. Recently, Australian OEM AML3D extended its $280,000 testing contract with BlueForge Alliance to qualify its nickel-aluminum-bronze alloy (NAB) for the U.S. Navy’s submarine program. This aligns with AML3D’s expansion strategy in the U.S., especially under the AUKUS alliance framework.
In the UK, Aluminum Materials Technologies (AMT) is working with the University of Birmingham to explore the metallurgy of A20X, a high-strength aluminum-copper alloy. Their research focuses on LPBF and Directed Energy Deposition (DED), studying compositional changes, heat treatments, and processing parameters. A20X is gaining interest for its isotropic properties and aerospace-grade performance.
Projects like the Equispheres–Fieldmade initiative mark a new phase in aluminum 3D printing. They offer flexible, on-demand manufacturing in challenging environments. Together, the NOMAD 03 microfactory and NExP-1 powder set a new standard for portable, high-performance aluminum additive manufacturing.