3D Systems partners with Huntington Ingalls on shipbuilding by metal Additive Manufacturing

News
May 10, 2018

May 10, 2018

3D Systems partners with Huntington Ingalls on shipbuilding by metal Additive Manufacturing

3D Systems’ metal AM technology will be used to produce a number of components for future nuclear-powered US naval warships (Courtesy 3D Systems)

 

3D Systems, Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA, is to collaborate with shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division in Virginia, USA, on the qualification of metal Additive Manufacturing technologies for the construction of naval warships. Newport News Shipbuilding is the sole designer, builder and refueler of US Navy Aircraft carriers and one of two providers of US Navy submarines.

Under this collaboration, the shipbuilder stated that it will move portions of its manufacturing process from traditional methods to Additive Manufacturing, and sees the potential for enhanced production rates of high-accuracy parts, reduced material waste and significant cost savings.

As the first step in the collaboration, 3D Systems has delivered and installed one of its ProX® DMP 320 metal Additive Manufacturing systems, designed for precision manufacturing, at Newport News Shipbuilding’s site. Newport News reportedly plans to use the ProX DMP 320 to produce marine-based alloy replacement parts for castings as well as valves, housings and brackets for future nuclear-powered warships. The companies reported that they are also developing new AM technologies to further enhance part production.

3D Systems has been contributing its knowledge in Additive Manufacturing to the US Navy for decades, with AM being used for a number of applications, from aircraft parts to submersible components. This particular collaboration with Newport News Shipbuilding marks the culmination of longstanding joint R&D efforts to qualify metal AM for the production of components for nuclear-powered naval vessels.

“3D Systems is proud of our long-standing relationship with the US Navy,” stated Kevin McAlea, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Metals and Healthcare, 3D Systems. “Through this collaboration with Newport News Shipbuilding, our 3D printing solution combined with our team’s expertise in metal 3D printing technology will redefine the supply chain for naval ship components – improving efficiencies and lowering total cost of operation.”

Charles Southall, Vice President of Engineering and Design at Newport News Shipbuilding, added, “Newport News Shipbuilding is leading the digital transformation to further revolutionise how shipbuilders build the next generation of warships. With the inclusion of the ProX DMP 320 into our manufacturing workflow, this marks the first metal 3D printer installed at a major US Navy shipyard. With this disruptive technology, Newport News has the potential to reinvent shipbuilding.”

www.3dsystems.com

www.huntingtoningalls.com

News
May 10, 2018

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • Metal powders in Additive Manufacturing: An exploration of sustainable production, usage and recycling
  • Inside Wayland Additive: How innovation in electron beam PBF is opening new markets for AM
  • An end-to-end production case study: Leveraging data-driven machine learning and autonomous process control in AM
  • Consolidation, competition, and the cost of certification: Insight from New York’s AM Strategies 2024
  • Scandium’s impact on the Additive Manufacturing of aluminium alloys
  • AM for medical implants: An analysis of the impact of powder reuse in Powder Bed Fusion

The world of metal AM to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Sign up

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data
View online
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap