Singapore project on 3D printing helping the industry
A joint industry program between Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and DNV GL class society was announced on April 9. The joint program will consist of ten member companies of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) to examine how spare parts produced by 3D printers can help the industry to cut costs and downtimes.
A joint industry program between Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and DNV GL class society was announced on April 9. The joint program will consist of ten member companies of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) to examine how spare parts produced by 3D printers can help the industry to cut costs and downtimes.
Specifically, the aim of this joint effort is to launch a list of commonly-ordered parts that are feasible for 3D printing with or without certification respectively not feasible for 3D printing.
The findings of this research will help the maritime industry adopt additive manufacturing to optimise their spare parts supply.
Additive manufacturing technology has the potential to revolutionize the way marine spare parts are designed, manufactured, and distributed to end users. In addition, on-site manufacturing for maintenance becomes an important application of AM.
"Additive manufacturing holds great opportunities for the maritime industry."
... stated Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, Regional Manager South East Asia, Pacific & India, DNV GL – Maritime.
In addition, the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) underlined the disruptive potential of 3D printing, which so far has seen only a moderate uptake in the industry.
"This technology can help not only to reduce costs of producing spare parts for vessels, but also to radically reinvent the production and logistics including using completely new and more suitable materials."
... Steen Brodsgaard Lund, chairman of the SSA technical committee commented.
