An SME manufacturer in Wales has been awarded funding through the latest round of the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP).
Sully-based Raplas Technologies Ltd will collaborate with BAE Systems on a forthcoming defence project and receive a government grant worth 50 per cent of the project value. Under BAE’s mentorship, Raplas will aim to develop innovative new solutions that meet UK defence challenges and increase capability in the UK defence supply chain.
The DTEP programme, which seeks to improve the competitiveness of the UK defence supply chain, is sponsored by the MOD’s Directorate of Industrial Strategy and Exports (DISE) and delivered through the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), Innovate UK, and ADS.
Dr Richard Wooldridge, CEO of Raplas, said: “We are honoured to have worked with the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) on an exciting journey to deliver new, commercially viable solutions to the UK defence industry. We are therefore delighted that our advanced resin-based 3D printing technology has been recognised by the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems, further solidifying our position as a leader in the 3D printing industry. The Raplas team looks forward to collaborating with BAE Systems, leveraging our combined expertise in hardware and software to deliver innovative solutions that strengthen the defence of our nation and its sovereign capabilities.”
Raplas is a leading UK designer and manufacturer of 3D printing solutions and equipment for multiple industries. They have proposed to deliver an innovative system for the safe printing and post processing of BAE proprietary energetic material formulations with automated handling of materials in an unmanned environment.
Raplas will design and produce purpose-made systems which will process BAE proprietary material formulation.
The new process and production methods will enable these materials to be manufactured in the UK, ensuring a consistent supply to the MOD without having to rely on international imports and thus eliminating the potential for future gaps in the defence supply chain.
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