ADDMAN secures US Navy qualification project for Additive Manufacturing submarine fittings
April 29, 2024
ADDMAN Group, headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida, USA, via its HARBEC business unit, has joined a qualification project for the US Navy focusing on the Additive Manufacturing of copper-nickel (CuNi) components for submarine fittings.
The project, in collaboration with companies such as Phillips, Austal USA, the US Navy, and Blue Forge Alliance, is aimed at reinforcing the United States’ national security capabilities and is said to be a critical component of the US Navy’s strategic plan to overcome supply chain challenges and meet its ‘2+1’ submarine production targets.
Addressing the pressing issue of extended lead times and quality concerns associated with traditional castings – which can exceed twelve months with a high scrap rate – this Additive Manufacturing qualification project will significantly reduce procurement cycles and enhance component quality.
“The challenges of traditional casting methods have impeded the Navy’s ability to meet its production goals. Through this project, we are not just solving a supply chain issue; we are contributing to national security,” stated Robert Dunn, Sr. Director of Hypersonic and Maritime Business Development at ADDMAN. “Leveraging Additive Manufacturing for these critical components, we can eliminate the limitations of casting, offering superior material properties and faster production times.”
The project is expected to demonstrate how strategic collaborations and technological advancements can address the complex challenges faced by the defence sector. The successful implementation of this project is intended to ensure a more robust and resilient supply chain, something which will continue through the entire lifecycle of the programmes as repair components can be sourced and reduce time in dock.
“A primary mission of Austal USA is to bring new production capacity into the Submarine Industrial Base,” said Don Hairston, General Manager, Austal USA Advanced Technologies. “We are excited to work with ADDMAN Group to deliver on that mission.”
ADDMAN’s approach involves the collective expertise and resources of its seven production sites across the United States, including the specialised skills of the HARBEC unit in Rochester, New York. This collaboration underscores a holistic strategy aimed at exploring scalable solutions for the production of AM Naval components, enabling the Navy to achieve its production and operational objectives.
