Four years ago, Kinectrics, a division of BWX Technologies Inc. and Burloak Technologies, a division of Samuel, Son & Co., joined forces to develop & qualify 3D printable parts for the nuclear power industry.
With a key focus on metal 3D printing, the companies announced the completion of an application for the field: a hydraulic manifold.
This complex, pressure-retaining high-grade steel component was originally produced through conventional means. This part was designed and manufactured to meet the stringent mechanical and safety requirements of nuclear service environments. A further aim was to demonstrate a nuclear qualification path for Burloak’s metal AM process.
From aging reactors to future nuclear designs
While the initial focus is on addressing high-obsolescence risk components in Canada’s CANDU fleet and other aging nuclear reactors, both companies see a clear role for AM in the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactor designs. AM’s ability to reduce part count, optimize fluid dynamics, and enable rapid prototyping aligns with the performance, cost, and scalability goals of next-generation nuclear technologies.
“Additive manufacturing enables on-demand production of replacement parts that are otherwise impossible to source. We’re not only solving for obsolescence — we’re working with Kinectrics to help develop the framework for using the Additive Manufacturing (AM) process in the Canadian nuclear industry, while creating new engineering options that meet and often exceed the performance of legacy manufacturing processes,” Jason Ball, VP/GM, Burloak Technologies said.
This application expands the growing portfolio of redesigned parts manufactured with metal 3D printing.
“This program demonstrates that AM parts can be qualified for nuclear use when the process is controlled and validated to nuclear-grade standards. We’ve applied the same rigor we bring to traditionally manufactured components, ensuring that safety, performance, and traceability remain uncompromised,” David Marttila, Senior Director, Nuclear Equipment Solutions, Kinectrics said.
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