3D Printing for Maritime and O&G Spare Parts

Additive manufacturing and digital inventory solutions are impacting oil and gas, and maritime operations with a new joint industry project (JIP).

Early this year, DNV GL launched two additive manufacturing-focused JIPs, one for “reconditioning old parts or creating on-demand new spare parts” and one for “the fabrication of large-scale AM structural parts.” The global quality assurance and risk management company has been increasing its investment into 3D printing technologies, including establishing several centres of expertise around the world.

“Singapore’s marine and oil & gas manufacturing/fabrication industries have an annual turnover of USD 10 billion and employ some 100,000 people. Repairs and conversions form the backbone of the local industry, accounting for more than half the total revenue. If we assume that 10% of Singapore’s fabrication/repair industry can use AM, the revenue from this will be USD 100 million/year,” DNV GL explains of the value proposition for these JIPs.

Looking to the spare parts JIP, DNV GL has now teamed up with Singapore-based SpareParts3D.

This collaboration will bring the companies together to develop the “standardized requirements necessary to introduce components made by AM,” the announcement reveals. SpareParts3D has been focused on enhancing the availability and viability of digital inventory.

This end-to-end focus on the value chain is something we’re hearing about with increasing frequency in 3D printing as the technology moves toward production. At the International Symposium for Additive Manufacturing Taiwan earlier this month, SpareParts3D CEO Paul Guillamot spoke about additive manufacturing for spare parts. Global focus on this application area is picking up, he underscored, as 3D printing enables the production of replacement components that can meet qualifications for use.

“We see a fantastic opportunity in collaborating with DNV GL on this JIP to communalize and frontload the qualification & certification efforts and to build a Marine and O&G industry standard,” Guillamot said of the DNV GL announcement.

“Qualification of AM parts is not a work that you can start when your equipment is down.

Our ambition for this collaboration is to finally deliver the promised value of Additive Manufacturing for Marine and O&G on-demand spares produced locally to cover shortages.”

The focus on marine and O&G is newer for this company, which has established a strong foothold in the household appliances sector working with companies like Whirlpool and Electrolux. Expanding to additional verticals, including those with more mission-critical components, showcases a big step for SpareParts3D and for the capabilities of additive manufacturing.

“A lot of companies we are working with are curious about AM and indicating they are considering implementing additive manufacturing into their business in the future but sometimes lack the skills and knowledge to adopt this technology,” said Brice Le Gallo, Regional Manager South East Asia & Australia at DNV GL.

“I am very glad that Spare Parts 3D is partnering us in our JIP as they support companies to foster the use of AM into their business at a large scale and bring a strong expertise in supply chain management.”

With rising focus and collaborative projects springing up around the world, best-in-class operations are picking up in additive manufacturing. We’re sure to hear of more initiatives like this joint industry project, and will certainly be keeping an eye on what comes of this collaboration.

Via SpareParts3D and DNV GL