We recently reported how 3D printers are increasingly-used for large-scale applications. 3D printers are already used to build small houses and manufacturing parts. In the future, they will be used for larger construction projects and bridge-building. There is little doubt the 3D printing industry will continue its explosive growth.
A new 3D printing collaboration involving the U.S. Navy was recently announced. The Navy’s only designer and builder of air-craft carriers – Newport News Shipbuilding – announced an agreement to work with 3D Systems. Newport News Shipbuilding is also 1 of only 2 companies nationwide that build Naval submarines. The agreement with 3D Systems will involve the manufacture of both air-craft carriers and submarines.
Under the terms of the deal, 3D Systems will install an industrial 3D printer at the Newport News Shipbuilding facility. The printer will manufacture ship/submarine parts more efficiently and less expensively.
A 3D Systems rep explained: “This marks the first metal 3D printer installed at a major U.S. Navy shipyard. With this disruptive technology, Newport News has the potential to reinvent shipbuilding”
The U.S. Navy is quickly adopting 3D printing. Currently, only 135 3D-printed parts have been authorized for use by the Navy. That number will increase to 1,000+ by 2019, according to the 3D Printing Industry website.
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