ASTRO America breaks ground on Guam’s first commercial 3D printing facility

BY SKYLER OBISPO 
Journal Staff

The Applied Science & Technology Research Organization of America held a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 6 for its Guam Additive Materials and Manufacturing Accelerator — the island’s first commercial 3D printing facility.

The GAMMA facility, located in Dededo, measures roughly 8,000-square-feet and will house around three to four additive manufacturing machines that will produce components for the U.S. Navy. 

Each machine is about the size of three to five refrigerators, depending on the model, according to ASTRO America President Neal Orringer.
Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero said during the ceremony that the idea for developing an additive manufacturing industry on Guam emerged five or six years ago under the recommendation of then-Guam Economic Development Authority Chairman David John.

“I read about its capabilities and its ability to provide ‘just in time’ parts and necessary equipment and tools to run businesses. Very important especially here in Guam, when we are so far away, and when it takes, weeks, months, to get parts and supplies here on island,” she said. 

Leon Guerrero added that the applications for additive manufacturing extend beyond national defense, saying the facility could one day produce replacement parts for vehicles, including emergency response units such as ambulances. 

Vice Speaker of the 38th Guam Legislature, V. Anthony Ada, highlighted the fact that the parts being produced will be a product of Guam. 

“When these parts are manufactured, you have a nice little tag on there that says ‘Made in Guam, USA’ and it would just show the capabilities that our island has in providing these critical parts that are not needed just for our nation’s military, but also for our island,” he said. 

Orringer said the creation of the GAMMA facility marks a historic milestone for the island. He noted that Guam has long served as a key hub for the U.S. Navy’s Pacific submarine fleet, particularly its nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines.

“It’s 8,000 tons, and it’s composed of tens of thousands of parts, components, valves, pumps, switches, compartments, compellers, all kinds of parts,” he said. “At any point, a Navy material officer or technician may determine that he can’t wait for that ship to go all the way to Hawaii for repairs, and that’s where we come in.” 

With additive manufacturing, it cuts down costs and wait times from about two months to a year to as soon as a week, he said. 
At a glance, the process begins with digital project files containing 3D models, which are transmitted to the printers. The printers use metal powder or wire feedstock to create the part, which is then heat-treated and refined to meet Navy specifications.

One of the challenges the industry faces on Guam is accelerated corrosion due to the island’s salt-heavy air.

Orringer said not much research exists on how additive-manufactured products will perform in Guam’s environment, but they are exploring corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, copper, and nickel. 

As for exports to Asia, Orringer said it’s possible in the future, but the Navy remains ASTRO America’s primary customer on Guam.

“They are the reason why we’re able to stand this whole thing up,” he said. “As long as our processes are not interfering with our mission, diverting resources from the Navy program, there is absolutely a desire to ensure that we can make sure these capabilities are available for … other industries.” 

He anticipates this expansion could become reality within the next several years.

Orringer told the Journal that Guam is already in a position to tap into the maintenance, repair, and overhaul industry— creating parts not just for defense, but for commercial ships and aircraft as well. This would position Guam as an MRO hub in the Marianas, similar to Singapore.

Beyond economic growth, the GAMMA facility will help develop a new local workforce centered on additive manufacturing.

The University of Guam and the Colorado School of Mines have partnered to allow students to study at UOG for their first two years and finish their mechanical engineering degree at Mines while remaining on the island. 

ASTRO America Executive Director Jason Gorey told the Journal the company plans to offer certification courses and bootcamps for both military personnel and civilians.

GEDA is also working with UOG to build a smaller facility at its Mangilao campus to support the university’s mechanical engineering program.

GEDA Administrator Christina Garcia told the Journal that the agency is developing an incubator program to help local vendors gain hands-on experience with additive manufacturing.

“Everything is about time,” she said. “Providing the parts to reduce the time for repairs. I will help us all across all industries … Guam being an island community, this will certainly be a great benefit to the economy.” 

Garcia said UOG and GEDA are still putting together the details, but she hopes to announce a ground breaking in the next six months. 

As for GAMMA, Orringer and Gorey expect the facility to be operational by April 2026, though progress will start slowly. 

“The Navy has some plans to provide us with a sort of ‘crawl, walk, run’ strategy,” Orringer said. “[It’s] going to take some time to just build out that workflow.” 

He added, ASTRO America hopes to become a qualified Navy supplier on Guam sooner than most companies, which typically takes up to five years.. 

By next year, he hopes the GAMMA facility is able to produce Navy-spec products consistently, with plans to expand operations and add more machines in the near future.mbj