The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Embarks on journey to make AM tech seaworthy, self-sufficient Metal Tech News – November 9, 2022
With a crew of more than 2,500 sailors and marines when fully embarked, it is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships. With a metal 3D printer on board, maintenance and parts replacement could potentially extend life at sea.
Mounted to a robotic arm, the Meltio Engine metal 3D printer has practically no size constraints on the parts it creates.
Advancing efforts to become truly self-sufficient at sea, the United States Navy recently announced the installation of the first metal 3D printer aboard the USS Bataan.
Installed under a joint effort between Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, and Navel Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Technology Office, the newest printer includes a Phillips Additive Hybrid system, which integrates a Meltio3D laser wire deposition head on a Haas TM-1 computer numerical control mill.
The Hass TM-1 platform has been proven to operate reliably in an afloat environment aboard several aircraft carriers, while integrating a Meltio3D deposition head, provides both an additive and subtractive manufacturing capability within the same system, increasing efficiency and reducing waste when compared with typical machining.
"These printers have the ability to help the Navy overcome both obsolescence issues for ships and systems that have service lives measured in decades and directly contribute to enhanced operational availability of our systems and ships," said NAVSEA Chief Engineer Rear Admiral Jason Lloyd.
The Phillips Additive Hybrid system prints 316L stainless steel, a prevalent material in U.S. Navy ship systems.
While stainless steel additive manufacturing onboard naval ships is new, it also represents an advancement in providing sailors with industrial-level manufacturing capabilities to print individual parts for systems that previously have not been readily available without procuring the entire system at significantly greater cost.
The 3D printer's benefits are twofold – it works to maximize operational availability and reduces the demand on traditional and Navy-specific supply chains.
Additionally, NAVSEA engineers installed a second 3D printer to produce polymer (plastic) components onboard Bataan. This printer enables the ship's crew to print any of the more than 300 additive manufacturing technical data packages developed by NAVSEA, which defines the required design configuration and procedures to manufacture a part and ensure it performs properly.
The Navy's efforts to leverage AM illustrate enterprise-wide business process reform and innovation. Presently, NAVSEA subject matter experts and industry partners are working to test, evaluate, and field the most advanced additive manufacturing technologies to improve readiness and increase capabilities, as demonstrated on USS Bataan.
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