News: Optoelectronics
10 November 2023
NUBURU completes US Air Force AFWERX SBIR Phase II contract
NUBURU Inc of Centennial, CO, USA — which was founded in 2015 and develops and manufactures high-power industrial blue lasers — has completed the AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract awarded by the US Air Force in 2022. Supported by metal additive design and manufacturing firm GE Additive (part of GE), NUBURU demonstrated blue laser-based 3D printing solutions with area printing technology, as set forth in the contract as the goal for the project.
This first-ever demonstration of using a blue laser beam shaped with a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) to print a part in stainless steel is said to represent a milestone in the development of a 3D printing light engine for incorporation into large-scale additive manufacturing systems, it is reckoned. NUBURU and GE Additive also signed a joint development agreement in June to accelerate the development of print engine technology that may result in improved speed and accuracy for laser-based additive manufacturing.
“We have successfully demonstrated the ability to print in metal with a scalable blue laser DMD architecture that will allow much faster printing speeds, as well as lower defect density than today’s 3D metal printers,” says NUBURU’s CEO Brian Knaley. “Achieving this milestone is critical to accelerate the implementation of blue laser technology into large-scale additive manufacturing systems for defense, aerospace and several other critical markets.”
NUBURU and GE Additive sign joint development agreement
NUBURU delivers first blue laser units to additive manufacturing firm Essentium
