DNV GL has issued an approval certificate to thyssenkrupp, which names the company the worlds first producer of 3D-printed parts for maritime applications. This certification ensures that additive manufactured (AM) part users can have equal confidence in AM products as a conventionally-produced part, and is important to thyssenkrupp, as the company is working closely with international customers on the integration of AM parts on ships and submarines.
The approval covers the 3D printing and processing of austenitic stainless steel parts, and was also awarded for the acceptance process in accordance with EN 10204 and associated product information, specifically the chemical and physical material characteristics. Approvals for individual special components are in preparations.
Geir Dugstad, Director of Ship Classification and Technical Director of DNV GL Maritime, believes that AM will significantly impact the future of the maritime value chain, and producing components with the same level of quality of conventionally manufactured parts, and fulfil class requirements, is key. 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, says Dugstad.
A team effort was particularly important here, as the certification required us to rethink traditional methods for quality evaluation and certification. I would like to thank everybody involved for their support and collaboration, says Eva Junghans, Senior Principal Engineer, Materials & Welding at DNV GL Maritime.
Image courtesy of thyssenkrupp