INDUSTRY NEWS
The launch of Europe ’ s ‘ first 3D-printed boat ’
A seaworthy boat , 3D-printed in one piece , was launched in December 2020 in Gothenburg , Sweden . This , said Sweden ’ s RISE research institute , is the first time this has happened in Europe . The boat was printed at RISE and is the result of a collaborative partnership between RISE and Cipax , which owns the boat model Pioner .
“ 3D printing , instead of conventional rotational moulding in boat manufacturing , makes it possible to manufacture tailor-made designed boats in small batches at low cost and with short lead times ,” said RISE .
“ With this technology , we get far greater freedom in the design of our boats . We can easily make adjustments or additions , and then send the design file to print ,” added Dag Eirik R Thomassen , CEO of Pioner .
He reported increasing interest in tailor-made designed boats among his customers . With 3D printing , production can be adjusted .
“ We have customers such as the police , fire service and the Armed Forces . We are investigating boat design to fit their individual needs , such as firefighting in installations , reconnaissance equipment , gas masks and diving equipment . A benefit of 3D printing is that individual copies can be produced without the cost skyrocketing because no moulds are needed . The challenge with 3D printing can be the need for a lot of support materials and , therefore , waste . But , by cleverly adapting the original boat design for 3D printing , it was possible to produce it with less than four per cent generated material waste ,” explained Thomassen .
However , it is a challenge to meet product-specific properties . A recreational boat must , for example , according to current rules be able to float even if it is filled with water . The 3D-printed boat can almost live up to it , said RISE , but only almost …
“ 3D printing requires a different type of plastic , mixed with fiberglass , not to collapse when it is laid layer upon layer .
Above : Rise 3D Pioner . Left : A close-up of the 3D-printed hull .
This makes the density slightly higher , so that it becomes higher than water . Before 3Dprinted boats can be sold commercially , it will be necessary to add some floating bodies ,” highlighted Jan Johansson , a researcher at RISE .
The boat has been developed by RISE and Cipax , owner of the boat model Pioner , as part of the DiLAM research project . The project investigates new ways of manufacturing large-scale products using industrial robot arms from ABB as flexible 3D printers . The project is supported by VINNOVA , the Swedish Energy Agency , and Formas through Production2030 .
“ Combining 3D printing with industrial robots and new materials opens new opportunities for flexible and resourceefficient production of innovative largescale products . This is not only useful in the marine industry but also in the automotive industry , construction , aerospace and furniture industry ,” added Emil Johansson , researcher and project leader at RISE . By offering support along the entire value chain , from design to final product , RISE wants to drive the development of additive manufacturing in the industry .
“ As an industrial player , we want to work closely with the latest research . Innovation is the most important factor if you want to be a profitable player in the future , succeed with your products and develop quickly ,” concluded Dag Eirik R Thomassen . “ 3D-printed boats will probably not replace traditionally developed models , but they will be an important complement …..” n
New slitting line for Decomecc
Belgian high-tech metal processing service centre , Decomecc NV from Genk , is expanding its product portfolio . It has commissioned Heinrich Georg GmbH ( from Kreuztal , Germany ) to develop and build a new slitting line customised to the specific needs of the automotive industry .
Decomecc Decoiling and Metal Cutting company is a high-tech service centre , offering a range of metal processing possibilities for aluminium , steel and stainless steel . From decoiling , cutting-to-length , slitting and sawing to laser blanking and CNC milling , the family-owned company has expertise in-house and production capabilities on site . With strongly digitised processes and flexibility , Decomecc provides warehousing and transportation .
“ With the GEORG precisionslit 2350 , Decomecc will access the market for aluminum strip with high thickness ranges from 0.8 to 7.0mm . Equipped with an electrostatic oiling machine for drylube and prelube oil types , the new slitter can process coils up to 2350mm wide . Advanced metering systems for oil film thickness , material gauge and strip width constantly monitor the production quality ,” explained Georg .
Over the last five years , Decomecc has completed a first phase of 40 million euro investments in the latest technology and applications to support production and services for its automotive customers . With this new expansion into slitting , it is launching a second phase of investments to increase its quality and service levels .
“ The partnership between Decomecc and Georg , which has existed since 2004 , is therefore entering a new phase . From the start , we have tackled a number of technologically challenging projects together . Over the years , we have delivered several cut-to-length and packaging systems , as well as individual units , to Genk ,” concluded Georg .
GEORG acts as a partner to manufacturers in the coil processing industry . Using intelligent process optimisation , the finishing line division offers complete solutions and individual components for slitting lines ; cut-to-length lines ; multiblanking systems ; trimming / inspection systems and packaging lines .
ISMR March 2021 | sheetmetalplus . com | 13