DNV GL published the first classification guideline for the use of additive manufacturing (AM) in the maritime and oil & gas industries. The guideline aims to help manufacturers and sub-suppliers of materials, parts and components, service suppliers and end users adopting AM technologies.
The classification guideline ensures that the parts or components created by an AM process and the materials from which they are created have the same level of quality assurance as traditionally manufactured products.
Additive manufacturing is a term for industrial processes that create three dimensional objects by adding layers of material. It includes technologies such as 3D Printing, Rapid Prototyping (RP), Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM), layered manufacturing and additive fabrication.
“We have been investigating the potential of 3D printing for the maritime and oil & gas sectors since 2014. With the introduction of the class guideline DNVGL-CG-0197, DNV GL is now ready to certify and support our customers and industry stakeholders to take advantage of this rapidly maturing technology. It will give end users confidence in the products and allow suppliers to offer their technologies and products for use in vessels and offshore installations,” said Marit Norheim, Vice President, Material Specialist, Hull, Materials & Machinery at DNV GL – Maritime.
The latest AM developments permit printing in metal, something very important to the maritime and oil & gas sectors. A variety of products and parts have now been successfully printed for industry, including screw pins, bearing shells, box heat exchangers and propellers.
“Additive manufacturing means products and components can be printed according to local needs, or even on board ships and offshore installations. This equates to less lead time, less cost, less labour, less logistics, and less need to keep stocks of spare parts. AM can also be used for maintenance and repair, simply adding layers of material to worn components, thus negating the need to replace them,” added Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO DNV GL – Maritime.
AM parts must offer the same quality level as those produced in traditional manufacturing environments. Same, the companies that design these parts have to protect their property, in order to offer customers genuine products. For this reason, the guideline is important, Marit Norheim concludes.
You can see the DNV GL’s guideline for the use of additive manufacturing below
