A programme that gives customers access to on-demand additive manufacturing has been launched by Wilhelmsen’s Marine Products division (in conjunction with its customers Berge Bulk, Carnival Maritime, Thome Ship Management, OSM Maritime Group, Executive Ship Management and Wilhelmsen Ship Management).
Hakon Ellekjaer, head of Wilhelmsen’s 3-D printing venture, said: “We are very excited by this milestone with Berge Bulk — completing one of the first commercial deliveries of 3-D printed parts in the maritime industry (
www.wilhelmsen.com).
"This is just the beginning of the journey, and we are quickly expanding our offering, enabling our customers to benefit from the savings provided by 3-D printing, digital inventory and on-demand localised manufacturing.”
As part of its on-going co-operation with the Ivaldi Group, Wilhelmsen is providing spare parts on demand to its six development partners’ vessels around the world.
The parts are being monitored in close collaboration with the certification body DNV GL, with all necessary documentation relating to the manufacturing, design, and performance requirements of each part enclosed with the delivered part.
Wilhelmsen and Ivaldi have delivered several 3-D printed parts to Berge Bulk, including scupper plugs (used to close drainage holes on a ship to hold back oil or other contaminants).
Sim Teck Siang, the procurement manager at Berge Bulk, said: “Scupper plugs are expensive, and there are no universal dimensions, so when you have a broken element, you have to buy a whole new plug.
"With additive manufacturing, we can procure scupper plugs faster, cheaper and locally, and if any part breaks, we can replace that one part instead of the whole unit.
"On-demand additive manufacturing will revolutionise the spare parts industry.”