3D Printing in Defence Industry

3D printing — the process of printing three-dimensional objects from digital data— has caused major disruptions in the manufacturing sector, since its inception in 1980. It has facilitated faster prototyping, reduced manufacturing costs, and increased customization—bringing in design freedom and executing previously considered impossible processes.

According to Fatpos Global, the military 3D printing market is set to surpass USD 18.9 billion by 2032 from USD 1.29 billion in 2021 at a CAGR of 27.7% in the coming years, i.e., 2022-32.
The defense industry’s sensitive nature needs quick readiness for any emergency, hence there has been a piqued interest in 3D printing in the Defense Industry.

Additive manufacturing in defense/3D printing services for the defense industry has far-reaching effects and holds immense potential in improving and aiding several aspects of the defense production processes.

3D Printing Drivers in the Defence Sector

The Indian Army has adopted innovative 3D printing technology for the construction of pre-casted permanent defenses and overhead protection. Additionally, the latest 3D rapid construction technology which uses a specialized type of concrete, is used for the construction of disaster-resilient dwellings for the Indian army.
The use of additive manufacturing in defense can deliver accurate end-products with complex geometries and open up design engineering possibilities, thus making 3D printing in the defense industry a game-changer. 3D printing has gained prominence in recent years in defense as it is more convenient to produce functional electric components (a key advantage) like circuit boards and antennas using 3D printing technology.

Impact of 3D Printing in Defence Industry

From testing and communication of designs, propulsion systems, defense dwelling units, specialized parts of tanks, vehicles, aircraft, military gear, 3D printed drones, etc., 3D printing in the defense industry, has added efficiency and agility to military supply chains. 3D printing for defense makes it possible for the armed forces to get customized components, equipment, and other spare parts thus shortening the supply chains.

At CubeIn we remove traditional supply chain issues and aid national security by employing on-demand 3D-printed equipment for defense systems.

Besides producing highly accurate, lightweight, low-cost 3D end products, and speeding up production timelines, it enables the selection of properties of each part using polyjet digital materials and creates parts that withstand chemical exposures and high temperatures.

On-Demand Manufacturing of Spare Parts

As rightly said by John Sneden, the Air Force Director of Propulsion at the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre at the AMADS conference, in 2024, “If I’m at war and it takes 6-9 months to deliver the part, how useless is that?”

Operational readiness is mission-critical and non-negotiable for defense organizations. At CubeIn, over the years we have provided standardized 3D printing services for the defense industry, to enable the agile delivery of on-demand spare parts, thus delivering versatile and mission-critical 3D printed parts for defense applications.

Customization For Varied Military Use Cases

Militaries across the globe can utilize the feature of 3D printing technology to manufacture lightweight and complex structures at scale. Defense use cases call for creating customized parts/components and equipment to meet specific use cases in defense. At CubeIn we utilize the latest technological innovation to deliver precise and efficient production of defence-specific 3D printed parts.
There is an array of use cases in defense ranging from 3D printed rifle grips, prosthetics, engine parts, waterproof equipment for submarines, weapons, pre-designed bunker modules, and structural components.

Heavy military equipment can be detrimental to successful military operations and skyrocket fuel costs for heavy aviation vehicles. Manufacturing lightweight structures that boost the performance and efficiency of military equipment and vehicles is a welcome by-product of 3D printing in the defense industry.

Rapid Prototyping and Design Validation

3D printing has revolutionized the way defense has looked at manufacturing. When war looms around the horizon, time becomes a critical factor. 3D printing enables the quick iteration and assessment of designs, thus accelerating the development of defense systems through rapid prototyping.

At Cubein, we understand the sensitive nature of the application of 3D printing in the defense industry and have the capability to manufacture critical military components and 3D-printed parts with quick turnaround time while adhering to stringent specifications.

Maximized Benefits with Low-Waste and Material Optimization

One of the key reasons that 3D printing is seeing an accelerated use in defense is its capability to allow the use of diverse materials as per the use case. The plethora of material choices along with the low wastage makes 3D the go-to form of manufacturing. Some key defense equipment, parts, and components are made using Titanium, and with lowered wastages, 3D printing is turning out to be beneficial in the long run.

Future Scope of 3D Printing in the Defense Industry

Globally there has been an increased investment by governments to strengthen military prowess and 3D printing in the defense industry is being utilized for manufacturing various parts of fighter jets, and defense aircraft.
Government subsidies to manufacturers and FDIs in the defense industry have shifted paradigms in 3D Printing for the defense industry. This is because 3D printing technology holds immense potential for large-scale production, due to declining manufacturing costs of components and advancements in 3D printing technologies.

Traditional manufacturing is restricted by the number of components that can be manufactured per year. Turning to additive manufacturing in defense/3D manufacturing can be the right approach for time-critical missions, especially for rocket motor casings, critical missile components, and stock replenishments. Using 3D printing can significantly reduce the time from weeks to days, thus solving some of the greatest challenges in defense.

Spearheading an Era of 3D Printed Innovation for the Defense Industry

At CubeIn we deliver optimized 3D designs and deploy innovative solutions to enhance the material readiness of the defense sector. Our turnkey 3D printing services for defense involve rapid prototyping and full-scale production— customized for the defense sector.

We have set the highest benchmarks in the defense industry and deliver additive manufacturing solutions for the defense sector which includes contract manufacturing of defense equipment, spare parts, and more on demand.

Collaborate with CubeIn for exceptional quality products perfected with tireless efforts & insightful R&D.