The U.S. Navy has efficiently built-in ADDiTEC’s ElemX 3D printer, using Liquid Steel Jetting (LMJ) expertise, aboard the USS San Diego. This deployment marks the primary occasion of high-strength aluminum alloy elements, particularly Al-6061, being 3D printed afloat. Sailors operated the containerized ElemX system beneath maritime situations, producing important elements that met rigorous high quality and efficiency requirements. This achievement demonstrates the printer’s skill to operate successfully within the difficult surroundings of an energetic naval vessel, paving the best way for broader adoption of additive manufacturing in naval operations.
ADDiTEC, a pacesetter in additive manufacturing options, developed the ElemX printer particularly to deal with the rigorous calls for of naval operations. The printer’s compact design consists of important elements resembling a chiller and slicing software program, requiring minimal further tools from the consumer. With a construct quantity of 300 mm x 300 mm x 120 mm and a most construct fee of 0.5 kilos per hour, the ElemX can quickly produce elements with dimensional accuracy appropriate for mission-critical functions.
Brian Mathews, CEO of ADDiTEC, said, “We now have labored tirelessly to make sure that our 3D printing applied sciences meet the particular wants of maritime operations, repeatedly enhancing their reliability and effectivity to be absolutely mission-ready for any operational calls for. Seeing our efforts come to fruition with the profitable printing of purposeful elements at sea is extremely rewarding.”
Mathews emphasised the continuing collaboration with the Navy: “We stay devoted to advancing LMJ expertise inside our modern new Hybrid Collection, which seamlessly integrates each additive and subtractive manufacturing capabilities right into a single machine.” This partnership highlights ADDiTEC’s dedication to supporting the Navy’s upkeep and logistics by way of cutting-edge manufacturing applied sciences.
Broader Navy Integration of Additive Manufacturing
Through the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) train in Hawaii, the U.S Navy deployed steel and polymer 3D printers, together with SPEE3D’s XSPEE3D chilly spray system and Snowbird Applied sciences‘ SAMM Tech hybrid Directed Vitality Deposition (DED) manufacturing system. These deployments aimed to scale back the supply time of important elements from days to hours, addressing readiness challenges by enabling speedy, on-site fabrication of important elements.
In Could 2024, SPEE3D participated within the Navy’s inaugural Salvage Train (SALVEX) at Pearl Harbor. The corporate’s XSPEE3D and SPEE3Dcell Chilly Spray Additive Manufacturing techniques have been utilized to 3D print essential steel elements in a simulated naval injury state of affairs. Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D, famous, “Our participation within the SALVEX train demonstrates the robustness and adaptableness of our additive manufacturing options, tailor-made to satisfy the rigorous calls for of naval functions.” This train showcased the potential of chilly spray expertise to provide giant steel elements shortly with out the necessity for lasers or inert gases.
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Featured photos present the USS San Diego (LPD-22) outfitted with ADDiTEC’s ElemX 3D printer, aluminum elements printed utilizing Liquid Steel Jetting expertise and Navy Lt. Joel Hunter and the XSPEE3D 3D printer. Images by way of ADDiTECH and Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes.
