Big news was made in the metal 3D printing industry last month when Aurora Labs announced that they had shipped the first 3D printer in their S-Titanium line, bringing their affordable, unique metal additive manufacturing machines to the market after much anticipation. The Australian startup expressed their excitement as they readied themselves for full production mode, and now as they fulfill pre-orders and move into regular production, Aurora Labs has signed a non-binding Term Sheet with WorleyParsons for a proposed commercial venture.
The agreement is through Advisian, WorleyParsons’ global advisory and consulting business, and has four main objectives:
S-Titanium Pro print head with powder mixing
License and Distribution: Through a non-exclusive license and distribution agreement, Aurora Labs’ metal 3D printers and consumables will be sold and distributed. In addition to their two printer models, the S-Titanium and S-Titanium Pro, Aurora also produces a wide range of metal powders.
- Design and Certification – “Solutions Center”: The Term Sheet proposes establishing a new business for the development of designs that can be purchased and used with Aurora Labs’ products. The designs created in the proposed Solutions Center will be hosted by or form part of a larger online designs catalog to be developed by Aurora Labs.
- Print Bureau: Aurora Labs proposes the establishment of a 3D printing bureau that would print designs and parts for third parties using Aurora’s printers, either from the Solutions Center, Aurora’s online designs catalog or from designs supplied directly from clients.
- Powder Production: This objective would be to explore opportunities for the creation of a market for bulk and specialty powders to be created by Aurora Labs.
The Term Sheet is to operate for twelve months or longer if both parties agree, but none of it is legally binding – at this stage, it’s a proposal, although Aurora Labs is optimistic that a more definitive agreement can be reached. If the terms come to pass, they would turn Aurora Labs from a printer and materials manufacturer to a service bureau and overall 3D printing powerhouse.
There’s no question that Aurora Labs is a tremendously energetic, forward-thinking company that intends to become much bigger in the near future – and they’re off to a very good start, having already become the top-performing IPO on the Australian Securities Exchange within only a few months of their initial listing. In addition to the discussions with WorleyParsons, Aurora Labs has also been talking to several prominent mining companies about adopting their 3D printers to reduce spare parts inventory. Mining and infrastructure are just two areas of focus for Aurora Labs as they begin building a network of clients and partnerships, hopefully with the help of WorleyParsons and Advisian.
If you or your company are interested in Aurora Labs’ products, you can find more information in their online shop, or contact them here. Discuss in the Aurora Labs forum at 3DPB.com.
