US Navy applies additive manufacturing technology to reduce shipbuilding costs

Additive manufacturing (AM) is quickly becoming a versatile tool to reduce manufacturing costs. To support the construction of the US Navy's naval platform, the Naval Metalworking Center (NMC) is currently working on the ManTech project to apply additive manufacturing technology to the manufacturing of Visual Aids for construction, planning, and staging, and for temporary components and stakeouts. Production aids, etc., to verify and demonstrate the cost and time benefits of additive manufacturing.

The Integrated Project Team (IPT) will conduct an assessment at the Ingles Shipyard to demonstrate how AM technology can be used during ship construction, quantify expected benefits, and provide suggested implementation paths; development and demonstration at General Electric Power Boat (EB) A process map to quickly produce tools and equipment using AM technology. The project team consists of the DDG51 Project Office (PMS400D), the LHA Project Office (PMS377), the “Virginia” Project Office (PMS450), the “Ohio” Class Alternative Boat Project Office (PMS397), the Ingles Shipyard, the General Electric Boat and the Navy. Metal processing center composition.

AM technology will be applied to EB's "Virginia" class submarine SSN794 in the 2017 fiscal year; Ingles' DDG121, LHA, and the construction of all future surface ships. The technology is expected to save Ingers costs of approximately $800,000 per year in the construction of DDG, LHA and LPD; and saves approximately $200,000 for each EB in each Virginia class submarine.

The 3D printed components have been field tested in Ingles and will be used to develop implementation plans and commercial investment plans for purchasing 3D printers . At EB, the flow chart of the verification project will guide shipyard employees on how to quickly deploy new tools and equipment using AM technology.