Rheinmetall’s Mobile Smart Factory Brings Field-Ready 3D Printing
At a European Defence Agency event, Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH unveiled a mission support concept designed to address one of the most persistent challenges in military logistics: the rapid production of spare parts for battle damage repair. The Mobile Smart Factory (MSF) integrates advanced metal additive manufacturing with digital fleet management tools, enabling armed forces to produce and install mission-critical components directly in the field.
The MSF is built around two 20-foot mobile shipping containers. One functions as an office container, equipped with an air-conditioned workstation, storage space, a polymer printer, and a handheld scanner for quality control. The second serves as a production container housing the Metrom P7000, a six-axis hybrid machine that combines wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) with CNC milling capabilities. This dual-function approach allows operators not only to fabricate metal parts but also to finish and postprocess them on-site, reducing downtime and dependence on distant supply chains.
The Metrom P7000 supports all weldable wires and polymers, producing components up to 700 mm in diameter and 450 mm in height. With a metal deposition rate of up to 600 cm³ per hour, the system can generate substantial parts quickly. The inclusion of CNC milling means that precision tolerances can be achieved immediately after printing, a critical factor for components that must integrate seamlessly into complex mechanical systems.
A distinctive feature of the MSF is its integration into Rheinmetall’s IRIS (Integrated Rheinmetall Information System) digital ecosystem. This secure, cloud-enabled platform links the MSF to IRISwork and IRISfleet applications, providing a comprehensive operational and documentation framework. IRISwork grants operators and maintenance crews access to technical manuals and spare parts catalogues, ensuring accurate replication of original designs. IRISfleet tracks each printed part from fabrication to installation, maintaining a digital product passport that stores all relevant data, including quality assurance records.
The system’s IT architecture meets security standards up to NATO Restricted, reflecting the sensitivity of operational data and the need for secure communication channels. Through IRIS, personnel can access remote support from industry engineers, quality assurance specialists, and other technical experts, enabling collaborative troubleshooting and validation even in austere environments.
Rheinmetall emphasises that the MSF is not merely a mobile workshop but a fully networked production node. “The collaborative multitenant IRIS platform enables the armed forces and defence industry to integrate partners into a secure network,” the company states, highlighting the potential for joint operations and shared resources. This capability is particularly relevant for multinational deployments where interoperability and rapid response are paramount.
From a technical standpoint, the MSF’s WAAM process offers advantages in material efficiency and build speed compared to traditional subtractive manufacturing. WAAM uses an electric arc to melt metal wire, depositing it layer by layer to form the desired geometry. The hybrid integration with CNC machining ensures that the rough additive build can be refined to meet exact specifications, combining the strengths of both manufacturing methods.
The inclusion of polymer printing in the office container broadens the scope of repair options, allowing for the fabrication of non-metallic components, housings, or tooling aids. The handheld scanner supports in-field quality control by enabling dimensional verification against digital models, an essential step for ensuring fit and function.
By embedding these capabilities within a deployable, containerised format, Rheinmetall addresses the logistical bottlenecks that often hinder operational readiness. Field units can respond to equipment damage without waiting for parts to be shipped from central depots, and the secure digital integration ensures that each repair is documented and traceable. The MSF thus represents a convergence of additive manufacturing, secure data management, and mobile deployment tailored to the demands of modern military operations.
