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 September 14th 2021, international accredited registrar and ship classification society DNV of Høvik, Norway announced that Keppel Technology & Innovation (KTI) had received what DNV described as “a verification certificate” for a 3D printed deck mounted type Panama Chock. It was 3D printed by metal 3D printing specialists AML3D of Edinburgh, Australia and proclaimed by DNV as “the world’s largest 3D printed shipboard fitting.” (KTI are part of Singaporean conglomerate the Keppel Corporation (Keppel Corp). A Panama Chock is a shipboard fitting used for towing and mooring that is conventionally made via casting.)
DNV’s testing was done in collaboration with other Keppel Corp offshoot Keppel Offshore & Marine. As part of the testing process, a 3D printed Panama Chock weighing circa 1 and a half metric tonnes was made to meet the relevant international standards and KTI’s material specifications. Amongst other tests against established marine grade cast material, the chock was load tested to a 20% higher load than what it is was designed for.
Other examples of 3D printed ship parts certified by DNV involve maritime industry group Wilhelmsen of Lysaker, Norway and multinational conglomerate ThyssenKrupp of Essen, Germany. In April 2021, Wilhelmsen and ThyssenKrupp 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 part was delivered to the vessel via a drone manufactured by drone building start-up F-Drones, also of Singapore.
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 LCCN2012650308” 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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