A new project has just kicked off in the Netherlands with the intention of testing whether 3D printing technology can help build spare parts in the marine industry. The project was founded by a consortium of 27 different companies in the marine industry including AEGIR-Marine, but is being headed up by South Holland focused InnovationQuarters in cooperation with RDM Makerspace and Havenbedrijf Rotterdam.
This project will pool money, ideas, and resources from the 27 companies and experiment with 3D printing solutions. Initially, thirty different spare parts were submitted between the 27 companies. Four of these parts will be designed and 3D printed in the next couple of months and then tested this coming fall.
AEGIR-Marine manufactures propulsion parts and spares for all major marine propulsion systems. The General Manager of AEGIR-Marine Production, Robert van Herwaarden says, “Innovation is one of our priorities and we were already exploring 3D printing for our business. Joining this consortium was, therefore, a natural thing to do. I found that the selection of the final 4 products was a learning process by itself. What can be 3D printed? When is it profitable and what are the benefits?”
This coming autumn, after the 4 parts are printed, the consortium will join their resources to test the 3D printed spares, to make sure that these additively manufactured parts hold up to their traditionally manufactured counterparts. While they are testing the parts, the partners also hope to build a database of other products they feel would be suitable for 3D printing. In the future, all parties involved hope to use this database when deciding whether to use traditional or additive manufacturing methods.
Hopefully this project will stand as an example throughout other industries of how companies can pool their resources to experiment with innovative new manufacturing trends. Not only are these companies gaining valuable knowledge to carry them into the future, but they are also developing the infrastructure to continue to use 3D printing and manufacturing. The results of the consortium will be presented officially at the 3D Print Conference in Rotterdam in the beginning of 2016. We will make sure to post the results.
Feature image via Clone 3D on 3D Hubs.
