Amaero International (ASX:3DA) to create 3D-printed inserts for automotive tools

• Metal manufacturer Amaero International (3DA) has signed an agreement to develop 3D-printed inserts for the automotive tooling industry
• The agreement was signed with an undisclosed global automotive manufacturer
• Amaero’s metal inserts will be incorporated into two of the automotive manufacturer’s aluminium components
• The inserts will add cooling channels to the original part design, improving the part’s performance and reducing the chance of defects
• Amaero International shares are 11.5 per cent higher in mid-morning trade, selling for 14.5 cents each

Metal manufacturer Amaero International (3DA) has signed a collaborative agreement to develop 3D-printed inserts for the automotive tooling industry.

Although the deal is a significant agreement for the company, it is yet to name the manufacturer it’s signed on with. Additionally, while Amaero began developing tooling inserts around four years ago, the company has only recently increased its focus on the sector.

Through additive manufacturing, known more commonly as 3D printing, Amearo can add greater detail to the tooling parts it creates, while improving the design at a more minute level.

The company hopes that the additive-manufactured inserts will improve the quality of its products and decrease the chance of leaks or other defects. 

Currently, the automotive manufacturer is being forced to reject traditionally-manufactured parts, which were leaking or failing key testing after being manufactured. By adding cooling channels to the design, Amaero expects to reduce the rejection rate and improve the associated overheads.

So far, the automotive manufacturer will incorporate Amaero’s metal inserts into two of its aluminium components.

Amaero CEO Barrie Finnin believes this could be the company’s first step into a new area of growth.

“This agreement reinforces Amaero’s growth strategy in the most difficult of economic circumstances. We can print the tool steel inserts with complex internal cooling channels that presently cannot be undertaken using conventional techniques,” Barrie explained.

“These tooling inserts are common to die-casting tools globally, and once this AM process is proven, there would be scope for significant global opportunities,” he said. 

Barrie went on to say that, if its components prove successful, other tooling inserts could be implemented into full-scale manufacturing operations across the automotive industry. 

Amaero International shares are 11.5 per cent higher in mid-morning trade, selling for 14.5 cents each at 11:02 am AEST.