Last year, 16 companies launched two Joint Innovation Projects (JIPs) which aim to define aguideline and a business model for the use of additive manufacturing in the Oil, Gas and Maritime industries.
The Oil, Gas and Maritime industries are part of the young fields that start to take advantage of additive manufacturing. Until now DNV GL was one of the rare companies to operate in this field. The company, indeed launched a guideline and an AM programme for maritime manufacturers to support the companies of the industry. However, the market is in need of major improvement at this level, especially of model to qualify functional metal (spare) parts.
In this vein SLM Solutions has announced it has joined Equinor, BP, Total, Kongsberg, OCAS, Ivaldi Group, TechnipFMC, Siemens, Voestalpine, Vallourec, Aidro, Additive Industries, Quintus, HIPtec and the Advanced Forming Research Centre of the University of Strathclyde in the JIPs. The JIPs include the guideline towards certified parts mentioned earlier and a toolbox for selection, supply chain set-up and economic viability, managed by Berenschot.
So, in June 2019, the practical guideline and the business tool will be released. The practical guideline will therefore define a framework so that 3D printed parts manufactured via SLM technology and Wire Arc AM meet the demanding specifications of this area. As for the business model, it will be tested during the Q2 part production process. In the meantime, with this ROI-model a database of parts will be compiled to showcase the various possible applications.
As part of these JIPs, up to five pilot parts will be produced for the project to ensure all necessary steps for repeatable, quality production. As far as SLM Solutions is concerned, one example of these parts is a pump impeller that the company produces for Equinor; another opportunity to prove the capacities of the SLM®280 Selective Laser Melting Machine.
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