AMOS, a Military-Developed FDM Can Soon Be Yours
New made-in-America desktop FDM start-up offers military-proven, ruggedized 3D printers aimed at fast part delivery anywhere.
One of the government-owned inventions of the U.S. Navy is a rugged FDM 3D printer developed at the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, a federal research laboratory operated by the U.S. Navy in San Diego. Inventor Spencer Koroly and his team developed a printer called AMOS in 2022 for the Center that could print and sustain a robot while on deployment. His printers have been deployed on ships and helicopters, producing custom parts and even medical splints.
Koroly told the Next Level Podcast in 2024 that he develops 3D printers for use in the field for expeditionary manufacturing, including reverse engineering and 3D printing parts at the point of need.
Now, after three years and four design generations of AMOS, the patent for the machine is being leased to startup 3D printer manufacturer Chicago Additive. The company will produce three versions of AMOS for commercial sale starting around June this year.
Chicago Additive isn’t just renting the patent — it played a role in the development, testing, and production of pre-release units of the AMOS 3D printer line for the military. The collaboration led to the establishment of a dedicated production facility specifically for AMOS printers in northwest Indiana.
“After 19 months of collaboration with Spencer, we’re ready to put the AMOS into the hands of those who need it,” says Joseph Podgorski, founder of Chicago Additive. “I want to thank everyone at NIWC Pacific who helped shape the AMOS into what it is today.”
With infrastructure and operations already in place, Chicago Additive has begun production of the AMOS 300, with initial units scheduled to ship by the end of Q2 2025. Additional models — the AMOS 200 and AMOS 500 — are slated for release in Q3 2025.
“These printers are engineered for high-quality output, ease of maintenance, and secure operation, making them ideal for industrial users, educational institutions, and print farms. Every unit can be configured to meet strict security requirements, ensuring data integrity with no information ever leaving the hardware,” the company said.
Founded in 2024, Chicago Additive told All3DP that its roots are in Chicago’s vibrant maker community, and that its team’s passion for additive manufacturing began in several of the city’s leading makerspaces.
Materials: PLA, PETG, TPU, TPE, PCTG, OBC, ABS, ASA, Polycarbonate, Nylon, PPS, PEEK.
Chicago Additive told All3DP that price and some specs may change. The company plans some “improvements” to the specifications above. Every unit can be configured to meet strict security requirements, ensuring data integrity with no information ever leaving the hardware.
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