Additive manufacturing company SPEE3D announced its partnership with RusselSmith, a Nigeria-based integrated energy solutions provider known for its sustainable and innovative technology solutions.
This partnership aims to bring SPEE3D’s cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) technology to West Africa, making RusselSmith a regional partner and value-added reseller.
They will deploy, train, sell, and support SPEE3D technology in the region’s oil and gas, defence, and commercial industries, SPEE3D said in a media release.
As part of the collaboration, RusselSmith has purchased a WarpSPEE3D printer, which utilizes patented SPEE3D technology, enabling rapid and scalable production far exceeding traditional manufacturing methods.
The printer can produce parts up to 40 kg (88 lbs) with dimensions up to 1m x 0.7m (40″ x 30″) in just hours instead of days, transforming metal printing into an on-demand manufacturing solution.
The collaboration between SPEE3D and RusselSmith aims to address present firm issues by manufacturing parts locally, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.
SPEE3D said RusselSmith is the only organisation qualified by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to deploy industrial non-metallic additive manufacturing solutions in the oil and gas industry.
Additionally, RusselSmith was recently inducted into the Additive Manufacturing Green Trade Association (AMTGA) and is currently the only African member company.
“SPEE3D is committed to the growth and development of additive manufacturing globally, and we’re thrilled to bring our cold spray additive manufacturing solution to West Africa,” said Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D.
“Partnering with RusselSmith is a huge win for us – they are a respected leader bringing the latest additive manufacturing technologies to the region and helping solve major supply chain issues for the oil and gas and defense and other commercial industries. Together, we will not only bring the WarpSPEE3D printer to the region, but their support as a value-added reseller will ensure customers will have the sales, support, and training they need for all of our technology,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Kayode Adeleke, CEO of RusselSmith, echoed these sentiments, stating, “In response to prevailing challenges in the supply chain of legacy parts in Nigeria and across the continent, RusselSmith has set out to promote the adoption of additive manufacturing technology in Africa to produce vital spare parts for the energy sector and other industries.”
Adeleke continued, “Our partnership with SPEE3D is a game changer for us – they are the leader in advanced metal additive manufacturing technology using their patented cold spray technology. This partnership enables us to rapidly manufacture high-quality parts on demand, locally and sustainably, leveraging the innovative cold spray technology to improve our customers’ operational uptime.”
