Equispheres, a leader in optimised aluminium powders for Additive Manufacturing (AM), has partnered with mobile AM pioneer Fieldmade to introduce NOMAD®03—a breakthrough mobile aluminium 3D printing micro-factory. This innovation extends laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) beyond conventional manufacturing settings, enabling on-demand aluminium part production in remote and field locations where safety and performance are critical.
Image Source: Fieldmade
Fieldmade’s NOMAD®03 micro-factory—a mobile, deployable AM system—now enables aluminium part production using Equispheres’ NExP-1 non-explosive aluminium powder, broadening the scope of metals processed in the field. With tunable parameters for diverse applications, NExP-1 supports rapid build speeds, exceptional part quality, and consistent onsite production, significantly cutting the time and cost of delivering replacement parts.
“There has always been demand for aluminium parts in the field. By collaborating with Equispheres, we are now able to meet that demand. Equispheres NExP-1 non-explosive powder simplifies the transport and operation of the NOMAD®03 system while optimising performance, giving customers portability, speed and superior quality without the need for specialised handling, storage or extensive post-processing,” said Svein A. Hjelmtveit, Chief Technology Officer at Fieldmade.
Housed in a fully self-sustained, climate-controlled container, the NOMAD®03 system features customised and rugged AM technologies designed for mobile deployment. Its capability for point-of-need aluminium 3D printing benefits industries such as defence, energy, and remote communities, where shipping aluminium parts is often cost-prohibitive.
Equispheres’ NExP-1 aluminium powder is dust-free and non-explosive, meeting ASTM E1226 standards for dust cloud explosibility. This optimised AlSi10Mg powder enables high layer thickness processing, enhances melt pool stability, and ensures consistent melting behaviour, improving both system performance and the mechanical properties of finished parts.
“The NOMAD®03 system is a game-changer for any remote operating environment that requires a rapid supply of spare parts. Instead of waiting for weeks for replacements to arrive, aluminium parts can be produced onsite in a few hours, often at a lower cost, using technologies that aren’t currently accessible for remote operations. We’re excited to collaborate with Fieldmade in breaking down the barriers for Additive Manufacturing while opening up a whole new landscape for the industry,” said Sascha Rudolph, Chief Operating Officer at Equispheres.
Fieldmade’s NOMAD®03 mobile aluminium 3D printing micro-factory, powered by Equispheres’ NExP-1 powder, is undergoing final verification testing. The validated system is set for release in the summer of 2025. As part of Equispheres’ aluminium powder portfolio, NExP-1 is sourced and manufactured in North America using the company’s patent-pending technology, ensuring a secure supply chain for large-scale aluminium AM production.
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