MELD Manufacturing Corporation delivers 3D printer MELD K2 to NIAR in Wichita State

MELD Manufacturing Corporation announced the successful delivery of a MELD K2 machine to Wichita State University‘s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). Along with the delivery, WSU-NIAR and MELD have entered into a research collaboration to advance aerospace manufacturing technologies.

The MELD K2 is MELD’s largest additive manufacturing system and offers an impressive build volume of 81.6 cubic feet. Designed specifically for the production and repair of large components, it is characterised by its material flexibility and low energy consumption. Unlike conventional 3D printing processes, the machine operates in an open atmosphere without the need for specialised vacuum chambers. A continuous feed system allows the use of standard material rods, ensuring uninterrupted material delivery during the printing process.

The machine will be used at NIAR to test and validate various aerospace specifications. At the centre of the research is MELD’s solid-state based technology, which makes it possible to produce materials with properties that cannot be achieved by traditional melt-based additive manufacturing processes. The machine offers an attractive solution for aluminium and titanium structures in particular, as these metals are of crucial importance in aviation.

“Our partnership with MELD Manufacturing Corporation will revolutionize additive manufacturing for NIAR, the DoD, and our industry partners,” said Jeswin Joseph, associate director and program manager for Emerging Technologies at WSU-NIAR. “MELD’s solid-state process enhances material properties, reduces waste, and accelerates production, setting new standards for performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications.”

The acquisition of the MELD K2 was made possible through funding from the EDA Build Back Better Regional Competition, which aims to help small and medium-sized companies access advanced manufacturing technologies. This collaboration marks an important milestone in aerospace manufacturing and promises to further optimise the production of critical flight components.