German multinational engineering group Thyssenkrupp has obtained certification for its supply of metal 3D printed products. The company’s Approval of Manufacturer certificate is the first ever to be awarded by leading quality assurance and risk management firm DNV GL. With the accreditation, the recently opened Thyssenkrupp TechCenter Additive Manufacturing is now approved for application in maritime and other industrial sectors.
“Producing components that have the same level of quality as conventionally manufactured parts and fulfil class requirements is key,” comments Geir Dugstad, Director of Ship Classification & Technical Director of DNV GL – Maritime, “At DNV GL, we are very pleased to certify that the Thyssenkrupp TechCenter Additive Manufacturing has demonstrated its ability to reliably produce metallic materials using additive manufacturing,”
“This is the first time DNV GL has awarded its Approval of Manufacturer certificate, and I would like to congratulate Thyssenkrupp on this achievement.”
Thyssenkrupp additive manufacturing in maritime
Thyssenkrupp TechCenters are facilities set up to provide additive manufacturing production and consultancy services. The first of its kind was established in 2017 in Mulheim, close to Thyssenkrupp’s international headquarters in Essen, Germany. A second TechCenter was opened by the company in Singapore earlier this year, placing the firm in a hub of growing additive manufacturing expertise. Prior to the opening of TechCenter Singapore Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to produce and qualify 3D printed spare parts for submarines.
EOS is a notable partner of the company, and also supplies 3D printers to Thyssenkrupp TechCenters. Collaborating with EOS and several other partners, a recent whitepaper from Thyssenkrupp estimated that by 2025 the 3D printing industry in the ASEAN region will generate an incremental value of $100 billion.
DNV GL Approval of Manufacturer
DNV GL is known in the 3D printing industry for providing the first classification guideline tailored to the requirements of the maritime and oil & gas industries. The company also has its own Global Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence within Singapore’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC).
DNV GL’s Approval of Manufacturer certificate assures that the Thyssenkrupp TechCenter in Singapore is capable of additive manufacturing parts as least as reliable and productive as conventionally made parts. Specifically, it relates to the 3D printing and processing of austenitic stainless steels, one of the most commonly used stainless steel grades in industry. Acceptance testing has also been cleared under the EN 10204 standard for inspection and other standards related to chemical and physical material characteristics. The two parties are now in the process of attaining approval of individual components.
“We are delighted that with Thyssenkrupp TechCenter Additive Manufacturing we now have a certified partner who can supply Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems with additive manufactured parts that meet both our own and our customers’ high expectations,” comments Dr. Luis Alejandro Orellano, COO of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
“Together we are putting innovative solutions into our submarines and ships, setting new standards for the navy of the future.”
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Featured image shows a metal 3D printed engine part printed by Thyssenkrupp. Photo via Youtube/Thyussenkrupp.
