Here at 3D Rapid Print, one of the fastest growing 3D Printing companies in the Thames Valley, we like to keep abreast of the latest innovations in 3D printing.
On April 22nd 2021, maritime industry group Wilhelmsen of Lysaker, Norway and multinational conglomerate ThyssenKrupp of Essen, Germany announced that they had designed, tested and delivered a 3D printed cooling water pipe connector to the vessel MMA Monarch during the launch of Singapore’s Maritime Drone Estate. (The Maritime Drone Estate is an area set aside specifically for testing drones for maritime applications.) The part was delivered to the vessel via a drone manufactured by drone building start-up F-Drones, also of Singapore, who have been collaborating with Wilhelmsen since June 2020 to deliver 3D printed parts to ships.
The part was made as part of Wilhelmsen and ThyssenKrupp’s ongoing collaboration to 3D print spare parts for the maritime industry, which was formalised in late September 2020. They proclaimed that this serves more than 3,000 vessels worldwide and solves maritime industry problems like long lead times and part obsolescence. (The term lead time can be defined as “The amount of time between the initiation of some process and its completion, e.g. the time required to manufacture or procure a product; the time required before something can be provided or delivered.”) Before being delivered, the part was successfully tested to the standards of international accredited registrar and ship classification society DNV of Høvik, also of Norway.
Another recent example of 3D printing’s involvement in the maritime industry includes ship builder and defence contractor Austal of Henderson, Australia. In March 2021, it announced that it had received what it described as a “verification statement” for its 3D printed naval davit, also from DNV. (The word davit can be defined as “A small crane that projects over the side of a ship and is used to hoist boats, anchors, and cargo.”)
3D printing is an amazing tool. It can grow your small business or start a mini revolution in an industry. Explore what it can do for you when you contact us today.
Disclaimer: Featured image of “U.S.R.C. “Bear” and S.S. “Corwin,” Roadstead, Nome, Alaska LCCN2012650309” is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 70 years or fewer. It is also in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1926.
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