Nikon SLM Solutions Hints at Massive New Metal 3D Printer in Rocket Lab Deal

By on June 13th, 2025 in news, printer

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The proposed Neutron rocket [Source: Rocket Lab]

Nikon SLM Solutions announced a rather prominent new customer: Rocket Lab.

Apparently the aerospace company has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire not one, but two of Nikon SLM Solutions’ “upcoming ultra-large format metal additive manufacturing platforms.”

Let’s take this apart.

Nikon SLM Solutions already produces one of the largest metal 3D printers on the planet, the massive NXG XII 600, which uses twelve 1kW lasers to rapidly build huge metal parts in its 600 x 600 x 600 mm build envelope.

When they say “upcoming” and “ultra large”, it must mean something even bigger. They explain:

“Designed to serve the most demanding industrial sectors, Nikon SLM Solutions’ next-generation system will be capable of producing significantly larger parts at unmatched productivity, helping manufacturers like Rocket Lab reduce part counts, optimize designs, and accelerate time to launch.”

This might suggest they are planning for a machine with a build volume exceeding 1m on a side. That would indeed enable printing of very large metal parts.

On the other side of this deal is Rocket Lab, which some may not have heard of. They are one of several up-and-coming rocket companies, and are perhaps the one that is best placed to catch up to SpaceX.

Rocket Lab has flown multiple successful flights, and has dabbled in reusability aspects, a capability that has powered SpaceX’s success. The company previously announced the development of a new vehicle, the Neutron, which would be partially reusable, similar to SpaceX’s Falcon series, although with a slightly lower payload capacity.

Archimedes rocket engine being test fired [Source: Rocket Lab]

The Neutron rocket uses a newly designed engine, the Archimedes, and nine of them will be used in the first stage of the rocket. If you imagine the layout of the nine engines across the 4.7m diameter of the Neutron, you would see that these engines would be approximately 1m in size.

That would correspond quite well with an expanded NXG XII 600, meaning it might be possible for Rocket Lab to 3D print the entire Archimedes engine in a single print job. Could this be an NXG XXIV 1200?

Nikon SLM Solutions has, in this case, taken customer requirements and adapted their equipment to fit those needs. I’m wondering what other companies they are working with to develop massive metal 3D printers?

Via Nikon SLM Solutions and Rocket Lab

By Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!