Snowbird Technologies integrates Meltio Engine Blue into hybrid manufacturing system

Snowbird Technologies, a US-based provider of expeditionary advanced manufacturing solutions, and Meltio, a disruptive laser metal deposition technology manufacturer, have developed a next-generation containerised hybrid manufacturing solution for defence applications. The system is capable of producing and repairing critical components directly at the point-of-need, integrating the Meltio Engine Blue into Snowbird’s next-generation deployable system.

Designed for deployment just-in-time, Snowbird’s next-generation SAMM Tech platform is a forward-deployable hybrid manufacturing system powered by the Meltio Engine Blue. Housed within a ruggedised container, the system features a patented gantry-mounted hybrid manufacturing cell and combines additive and subtractive capabilities to deliver on-demand repair, replacement and prototype production in austere conditions.

SAMM Tech, powered by the Meltio Engine Blue, delivers expeditionary metal manufacturing at the point of need. It reduces supply chain dependency, increases mission readiness, and enables critical repair and production in remote and contested environments. This integrated solution supports advanced hybrid material processing, enabling fabrication in both metal and plastic, while ensuring safety, reliability and supply chain resilience.

The system is designed for rapid deployment and global mobility, fully compatible with existing military logistics infrastructure. Its modular and robust construction allows it to operate in extreme land and maritime conditions, giving defence forces the ability to manufacture, repair and sustain mission-critical components closer to the battlefield, reducing lead times, material waste and dependence on centralised supply chains. Powered by Meltio Engine Blue, the system supports a wide range of industrial metals, including aluminium, titanium and marine-grade bronze. These materials are critical for defence and naval applications, enabling reliable production and repair of structural and functional components in deployed environments.

The collaboration reinforces Meltio’s growing presence within defence and expeditionary manufacturing, where hybrid solutions combining additive and subtractive processes are increasingly recognised as key enablers for operational sustainment and readiness. Snowbird’s SAMM Tech platform, powered by Meltio technology, has already demonstrated its value in real-world naval operations, including the rapid repair of a reverse osmosis pump aboard a US Navy vessel – preventing an early return to port and restoring freshwater generation capabilities within hours. Meltio’s wire-laser metal additive manufacturing technology has also been adopted across multiple defence programmes worldwide, including deployments with military and naval forces to support onboard manufacturing, forward repair and supply chain resilience.

Snowbird and Meltio will present this new hybrid, containerised manufacturing solution at the 10th Annual Military Additive Manufacturing Summit & Technology Showcase (MILAM), taking place on 3-5 February 2026, in Tampa, Florida, at booth #125. As the largest military-focused additive manufacturing event in North America, MILAM serves as a strategic forum for government, defence and industry leaders to explore how advanced manufacturing technologies are being deployed across the Joint Force.

“This collaboration further validates the role of laser-wire directed energy deposition technology in the most demanding defence environments,” says Scott Morse, Chief Executive at Snowbird Technologies. “By integrating the Meltio Engine Blue into our next-generation SAMM Tech platform, we’re demonstrating how laser-wire DED can deliver reliable, repeatable hybrid manufacturing at the point of need, enabling critical repair and production where traditional supply chains and infrastructure are unavailable.”

From Meltio’s perspective, the collaboration further validates the role of laser-wire DED technology in demanding defense environments.

“Defence organisations require manufacturing solutions that are reliable, flexible and deployable,” says Gabriel Ortiz, America’s Channel Manager at Meltio. “Integrating the Meltio Engine Blue into Snowbird’s containerised system demonstrates how our technology can support expeditionary operations, helping defence users strengthen supply chain resilience and maintain operational readiness in the most challenging environments.”

By combining Snowbird’s expertise in deployable manufacturing systems with Meltio’s industrial metal additive technology, this new hybrid solution underscores the accelerating adoption of deployable, point-of-need manufacturing across defence, security and government operations.