Optomec Partners with Phillips Federal

Optomec has signed a partnership agreement with Phillips Federal, enabling Phillips Federal to resell the Optomec Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) systems to U.S. government facilities. The LENS systems are designed for creating, enhancing and repairing metal components using high-powered lasers to build structures layer by layer directly from powdered metals, alloys, ceramics or composites.

“The agreement enables Phillips to continue to provide additive manufacturing solutions to maintain the readiness of the military and advance the research and development of new innovations and ideas throughout our government,” says John Harrison, vice president of Phillips Federal. “We’ve seen an increase in the demand for additive manufacturing solutions and our partnership with Optomec will allow us to continue to offer a full range of solutions.”

“Additive manufacturing technology will improve maintenance and repair operations, get equipment operational faster, and improve supply chain capability all at significantly lower cost than traditional methods,” says Jamie Hanson, vice president of business development at Optomec. “Phillips has a very long and successful track record of working closely with customers to achieve their objectives, and together we expect to make a significant impact.”

Optomec LENS systems use a form of metal 3D printing known as Directed Energy Deposition (DED), which is complementary to other forms of metal printing such as powder-bed fusion (PBF). Using DED, LENS systems are able to print full parts at a fraction of the time and cost of systems based on PBF, yet with better material and mechanical properties and less material waste, the company says. Additionally, LENS can add metal to existing parts for repair and coating applications that cost-effectively extend the useful life of components.