AML3D's ARCEMY X Systems Boost U.S. Shipbuilding, Implications for ASEAN

AML3D's ARCEMY X Systems Transform U.S. Shipbuilding, Implications for ASEAN Factories \\[8pt] Australian 3D printing manufacturer AML3D has recently commissioned two large-scale ARCEMY X metal additive manufacturing (AM) systems at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). This marks the completion of an initial order valued at approximately AU$4.5 million (US$3.2 million). NNS, known for building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the U.S. Navy, will make a final payment of around AU$892,000 upon full delivery. Each system includes a 10,886 kg positioner, enabling heavy-capacity metal AM builds for various shipbuilding applications. \\[8pt] The success of this initial deployment has led to a second order from NNS, valued at approximately AU$9.9 million, for four additional custom ARCEMY X systems, scheduled for delivery in early 2027. These systems will be manufactured at AML3D’s facility in Stow, Ohio, which is currently expanding its capacity to meet growing demand from the U.S. Marine Industrial Base (MIB). AML3D plans to double its output at the site, driven by the U.S. Navy’s procurement targets for the coming years. \\[8pt] For factories in ASEAN, particularly in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, this development highlights the potential of advanced manufacturing technologies. The integration of large-scale metal 3D printing can significantly reduce lead times and enhance production efficiency. In Thailand, where the automotive and electronics industries are prominent, such technology could streamline the production of complex components, reducing reliance on traditional manufacturing processes. In Vietnam, with its growing aerospace and defense sectors, the adoption of metal AM could accelerate the development of high-precision parts, supporting the country's industrial growth. \\[8pt] In Indonesia, where the maritime industry is a key economic driver, the use of metal 3D printing could revolutionize shipbuilding, making it more efficient and cost-effective. Similarly, in Malaysia, the semiconductor and medical device industries could benefit from the precision and speed offered by metal AM, enhancing their competitive edge in the global market. \\[8pt] AML3D CEO Sean Ebert emphasized the strong demand from the U.S. MIB, stating that it validates the company’s U.S. scale-up strategy. He also noted similar demand signals in other defense markets, including the UK, where AML3D holds existing contracts. The company is planning to establish a European manufacturing hub to serve the U.S., UK, and Australia, the three AUKUS signatories. Additionally, non-defense industrial manufacturing across these markets is seen as a significant growth area. \\[8pt] The U.S. naval shipbuilding industry has been under pressure to reduce lead times, with some components taking between six months and two years to produce using traditional methods. Metal AM offers a solution by producing certified parts closer to the point of need, addressing supply chain bottlenecks and long procurement cycles. AML3D has been strategically placing ARCEMY systems across multiple Navy-affiliated sites, and the recent installation at NNS represents a significant step in this expansion. \\[8pt] In May 2026, AML3D and Austal USA completed the installation of a containerized ARCEMY system at the U.S. Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Virginia, bringing Austal USA’s total ARCEMY fleet at that facility to three systems. The NNS deployment of six systems further solidifies AML3D’s presence in the U.S. market. \\[8pt] For factory buyers in ASEAN, the lessons from the U.S. shipbuilding industry underscore the importance of adopting advanced manufacturing technologies. By integrating metal 3D printing, factories can achieve faster production, higher precision, and greater flexibility, ultimately enhancing their competitiveness in the global market. As AML3D continues to expand its footprint, ASEAN manufacturers should consider how these innovations can be leveraged to drive their own industrial growth and efficiency.