NAVSEA’s seven shipping 3D printing R&D projects can save the U.S. Navy $250 million

China3D printingOn December 7th, the U.S. Naval Ocean Systems Command (NAVSEA) has provided funding for seven nautical research and development programs, which, if successful, could save more than $250 million in costs.
Among the three new projects scheduled to start in 2021, NAVSEA will use3D printingTo improve the efficiency of its naval shipbuilding and maintenance procedures. The parts optimization program cost only 8.2 million U.S. dollars, which can ultimately enable the Navy to drastically reduce its maintenance costs for aircraft carriers and auxiliary ships.

NAVSEA Naval Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) Manager Erik Oller said: “The Military Maritime Lift Command (MSC) project will reduce costs and increase the operational availability of the entire MSC fleet. We are proud to be able to Become part of this project, which will have such a wide-ranging impact on our country’s ability to support fighters.”



The U.S. Navy estimates that the progress made in research and development projects can save more than $250 million in costs. The picture comes from Danny DeAngelis of NNSY.

NAVSEA’s new R&D contract

NAVSEA’s new research project will last 12 to 24 months and was selected under the guidance of the cross-industry group NSRP. Although the cost of establishing these programs is US$8.2 million, industry investment will match them, and some areas will receive US$1.2 million in funding.
The scope of these plans varies, ranging from design optimization to the production of prototypes of remote welding equipment, and the acceleration of metal castings.3D printing.In terms of scale, the MSC program is one of the largest, and its purpose is to develop a process that can be approved and shipped faster3D printingobject.

Fast delivery of spare parts is essential to maintaining MSC’s 125 ships, because the longer the ship stays in the port, the less help it will be for combatants. At the other six participating shipyards, the research and development program will try to reduce the cost of designing and building surface fighters and amphibious ships.
For example, in the “scale up” plan, NSRP will cooperate with Meld Manufacturing to reduce large-scale3D printingDelivery time and efficiency of steel castings. NSRP can also scan and 3D model the entire aircraft carrier, with the goal of reducing the cost of building and maintaining each ship by $19.5 million.
Oller believes that only with the participation of every spacecraft and every shipyard personnel can the Navy get the most from these projects. He said: “Stakeholder involvement can make a project that reduces naval costs different from a project that only generates reports on the bookshelf.”



Through seven research projects, NAVSEA’s goal is to reduce the time spent on maintenance of its ships. Picture from NAVSEA.

Navy use3D printingTechnology improves efficiency

The U.S. Navy has implemented3D printing, As a means of maintaining and optimizing its fleet.Initially used by the Navy3D printingOne of the methods is to create a model for one of the hospital ships, and NSRP now plans to use the latest scanner to create an updated version.
Since the maintenance of broadband systems and the use of additives in all aspects of the production of pipeline components, the Navy has shown no signs of stopping the pursuit of efficiency.The U.S. Navy will3D printingPurpose applied for 23 million U.S. dollars in funding, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center has purchased a new EOS system.

In the past few years, the NAVSEA market segment in particular for the Navy has been3D printingThe part is routed. NAVSEA delivered life-saving components to the NAVAIR T-45 Goshawk training aircraft in 2017. Recently, it approved an additively manufactured prototype drainage screen mesh (DSO) assembly for installation on ships.
With the launch of new R&D projects next year, NAVSEA has strengthened3D printingThe adoption of and the start of efficiency improvements can save the U.S. Navy more than 2.5 billion U.S. dollars.


Application in national defense3D printing

In recent years, the U.S. Army has often conducted research through its Army Research Laboratory (ARL)3D printingThe overall goal of the experiment is to improve the combat readiness of the combatants.
A team from the CCDC Soldier Center collaborated with ARL to develop a multifunctional3D printingbiological sensor. Additional equipment can be used for biological monitoring of soldiers, and can also protect them from any potential environmental threats in the wild.
Similarly, ARL researchers have also created micro3D printingHolographic instrument. The additional device can characterize particles in the air, making it possible to protect soldiers from gas attacks.

From a more clinical perspective, scientists at the US Army Aviation Medical Research Laboratory have designed and tested for members of the armed forces3D printingEarplugs. The team hopes that their equipment can prevent hearing loss in the US military, as this will affect their combat preparations and social interactions.

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