ABS is joining Mencast Marine (MMPL), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) on a project to manufacture and class a 3D-printed propeller.
The new initiative has an objective to 3D-print a ship propeller using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) techniques with a goal to achieve high-quality, low build-time, and support-free prints aligned with ABS Classification standards for propeller production. The collaborative project builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by ABS and MMPL that is focused on additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, for critical maritime components.
Glenndle Sim, CEO of Mencast Group., explained that additive Manufacturing represents the dawn of limitless possibilities in the maritime industry. According to Glenndle Sim, it emerges as the game-changer, revolutionizing the way we approach complex and labor-intensive components.
"AM technologies have a huge potential to revolutionize supply chain and maintenance procedures both in maritime and beyond, and ABS is committed to supporting these innovations without compromising safety", said Gareth Burton, ABS Vice President of Technology.
Dr. Ho Chaw Sing, CEO of NAMIC., supplied that this marks a significant step towards supporting the local leading Small-Medium Enterprises to transform towards digital and sustainable manufacturing processes as part of Singapore Maritime’s industry transformation roadmap.
"We are excited to be part of Mencast’s innovation journey towards Industry 4.0 Transformation. We look forward to working with them to translate our hybrid wire arc AM research into the production of Class propellers", concluded Dr. Soh Gim Song, Associate Professor and Director of Education at SUTD
To remind, it was also recently announced that thyssenkrupp and Wilhelmsen have founded a joint venture, “Pelagus 3D”, which will in future offer spare parts for the maritime industry worldwide via a digital platform.
Source: Safety4sea
