At the Sea-Air-Space conference in National Harbor, Md., Mark Massie, a program manager for additive manufacturing at Naval Sea Systems Command, showcased metal parts made with 3D printers. The Navy is exploring 3D printing as a solution to delays in shipbuilding caused by the pandemic.
The Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Virginia is playing a crucial role in the Navy’s plans for building submarines. Challenges include increasing the number of companies on contract, simplifying the procurement process, and testing acquired parts for ship use.
The Pentagon is identifying parts suitable for building with 3D printers and testing on vessels. Shipbuilder HII also faces regulatory challenges in gaining Navy approval for using 3D-printed parts on ships.
The Navy plans to increase confidence in 3D-printed parts on ships by installing printers on around 40 to 50 ships, submarines, and carriers for polymer parts, and 10 or so for metal parts. Confidence levels in 3D-printed parts on ships are expected to rise in the next year or two.
