---
title: "The US Military Is Getting 3D Printing “Factories” Inside Shipping Containers"
description: "The US Department of Defense is working to develop a full, portable 3D printing lab that can fit inside a shipping container."
date: "2021-02-18"
modified: "2022-06-01"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/us-military-getting-3d-printing-factories-shipping-containers"
categories:
  - "3D Printing"
  - "Future Materials"
  - "Military"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "3d printing"
  - "military technology"
  - "the digest"
---

# The US Military Is Getting 3D Printing “Factories” Inside Shipping Containers

![The US Department of Defense is working to develop a full, portable 3D printing lab that can fit inside a shipping container.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shipping3d.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: The ExOne Company / Futurism\</em\>*

## Portable Factory

The United States Department of Defense just awarded a contract to additive manufacturing company ExOne to develop 3D printing mini-factories that could be deployed into the field during a military operation.

The factories are essentially complete 3D printing labs that can be housed entirely within a shipping container, [according to *Interesting Engineering*](<https://interestingengineering.com/us-military-to-have-3d-printing-factories-in-shipping-containers>). It's an intriguing — though not unprecedented — idea that the Defense Department says will help improve military logistics and allow for parts and tools to be replaced as needed on the spot.

## Full Loadout

The 40-foot containers will contain all of the necessary equipment to scan, model, and manufacture parts out of metals, ceramics and other composite materials, according to *Interesting Engineering*. The idea is to make the process as straightforward as possible so that soldiers or technicians in the field can replace parts and tools with a powder-based 3D printing process [called binder jetting](<https://www.hubs.com/knowledge-base/introduction-binder-jetting-3d-printing/>) — without needing a great deal of technical knowledge.

"Binder jet 3D printing is a critical manufacturing technology for military use because of its speed, flexibility of materials, and ease of use," ExOne CEO John Hartner [said in a press release](<https://www.investor.exone.com/news-releases/news-release-details/exone-developing-portable-3d-printing-factory-shipping-container>).

## Arms Race

The new Defense Department project won't be the first portable military 3D printer, according to *Interesting Engineering*. Though the Army has been talking about the concept for years, the [Marines used](<https://3dprint.com/200380/us-marines-3d-printing-x-fab/>) a similar but smaller printer in 2018. The Dutch Navy also has a [collapsible printer](<https://3dprint.com/278287/dutch-navy-invests-in-intamsys-3d-printers-for-on-demand-spare-parts/>) for spare parts.

But the new contract seems to be for a more comprehensive facility than any before it, making it an interesting project to watch as we see how portable printing technology develops in the field.

**READ MORE:** [US Military to Have 3D-Printing Factories in Shipping Containers](<https://interestingengineering.com/us-military-to-have-3d-printing-factories-in-shipping-containers>) \[*Interesting Engineering*\]

**More on 3D printing:** *[First 3D Printed House Goes on Sale in United States](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/first-3d-printed-house-sale>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)