AML3D signs deal with ExxonMobil to additively manufacture commercial pressure vessel
June 29, 2022
AML3D Limited, Edinburgh, Australia, has signed a $190,000 manufacturing purchase order with ExxonMobil Asia Pacific to create what is expected to be the world’s largest additively manufactured metal pressure component. AML3D will use its proprietary WAM® technology – also known as Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), a wire-based form of Directed Energy Deposition (DED) – to produce the eight-tonne vessel for ExxonMobil’s refinery operations.
“Signing this deal with ExxonMobil is a further demonstration of delivery against our multi-phase growth strategy,” stated Andrew Sales, Managing Director, AML3D. “We have a major focus on building our capability and presence in the global Oil & Gas sector as an immediate value driver for the business and this contract absolutely aligns with that objective.”
AML3D was reputedly selected by ExxonMobil based on the advantages of the WAM technology and the company’s ability to additively manufacture commercial large-scale certifiable parts. WAM production has significantly faster lead times than traditional manufacturing, enabling AML3D to address supply chain constraints that ExxonMobil was experiencing and to meet a September 2022 delivery deadline.
AML3D will use a high-strength wire feedstock of > 450 MPa yield strength to additively manufacture the large pressure vessel. Testing will include hydrostatic pressure tests, full x-ray testing and visual inspection by a third party. The large vessel will be produced at the AML3D facility based in Adelaide using five of the eight installed ARCEMY® machines combined. Capacity utilisation of the Additive Manufacturing facility during this time will be up toward 75%.
The vessel manufacturing and testing will be verified for compliance to ASME VIII and will fall under AML3D’s Lloyd’s Register facility accreditation & certification processes. It will also follow the new global API 20S Standard for Additively Manufactured Metallic Components for Oil & Gas components.
“Our proven WAM technology disrupts traditional industrial-scale metal manufacturing by producing superior components with a significantly shorter production cycle and a far more sustainable methodology involving less waste and lower energy input,” Sales continued. “Our understanding is, due to supply chain constraints, some traditional manufacturers were estimating a delivery date in excess of twelve months. AML3D will deliver a superior component in less than half that time.”
