End-user interview
and needs storage space to manage it , only to find 20 per cent will actually be deployed . However , from the perspective of a supplier , this way of doing business is fine as he already has the certainty of supply .
Independent verifier
OEM ( IP owner )
Logistics provider
Digital Inventory
Pump impeller , Inconel 718 , Photo : Equinor
The AM mindset
Equinor has been active in Additive Manufacturing since 2016 . Since then , the company has established its AM Centre of Excellence . As mentioned earlier , the company initially focused on ( material ) research , when the positive results arrived the implementation project was initiated in 2018 . Since then , the AM CoE has become an integrated part of the organisation , serving the Equinor organisation globally . Building awareness and the AM mindset within the company has been key , and by running workshops with participants from the AM team and operations and maintenance personnel this has resulted in many good use cases , like 3D printing of impeller to pumps , flow valve internals , obsolete engine parts , repair of metal components and on-site repair of large equipment types , like pipes , tanks etc . In addition to this , Equinor has experience with polymer part production ( e . g . gaskets ), and sees a potential for testing alternative materials , for instance replacing metal parts with 3D printed polymer or composite parts . As for AM technologies , Equinor has no preference although Brede sees great opportunities
Engineering
JIT factory
End user / Operator
A schematic representation of the Fieldmade Digital Inventory . OEMs / suppliers fill the digital library with the manufacturing recipes for their products ( 3D models , technical data ). This information can be downloaded by 3D service providers , producing parts on demand ( based upon the 3D model and the manufacturing ‘ recipe ’) and shipping these to the production facility where they are deployed .
for Laser Bed Powder Fusion , DED and Wire-Arc .
AM : from spare parts to repair
“ Apart from producing metal parts , we also see possibilities for AM in repair , for example in adding material via robotic welding to replace material that has been eroded . This modus operandi would avoid replacing a heavy and costly asset and increasing the product life cycle . We are engaging in comparative analyses of how certain applications are produced . By comparing various parameters in a LCA , we can compare AM with conventional practices and illustrate the potential of the first in terms of cost or CO2 footprint .” When asked about specific equipment , Brede sees a huge potential for parts ( internals ) in pumps and valves . “ There are already several examples , for example 3D impellers and stems / noise attenuation parts that can be deployed in the field .”
Adapting to change
“ I expect market disruptors to appear , either in terms of products or services . As per usual , these products / services are hard to predict at the moment . One service I can see at the horizon is design for Additive Manufacturing . Companies that can assist ‘ conventional ’ companies in digitalising their product portfolio . In other words , there will be exciting times ahead for existing but also new players in the oil , gas and renewable energy supply side .”
24 Valve World August 2022 www . valve-world . net