The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has released a new recommendation, Rec.186, aimed at establishing a standardized approach to integrating Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, into marine and offshore applications. This move marks a significant step in enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and safety within the maritime industry.
As the maritime industry embraces advancements in manufacturing technologies, AM has emerged as an innovative alternative to traditional manufacturing processes. By fusing materials to produce objects from a digital 3D model, AM offers a more flexible and sustainable manufacturing option. Unlike conventional methods like casting, forging, and welding, AM provides greater design freedom, reduced material waste, and on-demand production capabilities, making it an ideal fit for marine and offshore applications that require customized, high-performance parts.
Rec. 186: Additively Manufactured Metallic Parts for Marine and Offshore Applications sets a clear framework for the qualification, approval, and certification of additively manufactured metallic parts. The recommendation offers comprehensive guidance across key aspects of the AM process, including part design, feedstock selection, AM processes, post-processing, and inspection/testing. By incorporating recognized international standards such as ISO/ASTM 52900 and AWS D20.1, Rec. 186 ensures that AM technology meets the same reliability and safety standards as traditional manufacturing methods, particularly in relation to materials and welding.
The recommendation covers several critical areas to facilitate the safe and effective adoption of AM technology in the marine sector:
- Scope of AM Process: The recommendation outlines specific AM processes, including Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), Directed Energy Deposition (DED), and Binder Jetting (BJT), with process-specific parameters.
- Criticality Levels and Testing: It introduces tiered testing levels (AM Levels 1-3) for class and certified items, enabling customized testing based on application criticality.
- Feedstock and Material Standards: The recommendation establishes rigorous qualification processes for AM feedstocks, including powder, wire, and binder feedstocks, and introduces recycling protocols for sustainability.
- Part Design and Qualification: Provisions for design optimization, topology adjustment, and pre-build simulation are included to ensure parts perform robustly under marine conditions.
- Inspection and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): The document addresses potential imperfections like porosity and lack of fusion through advanced NDT methods, such as CT scans.
Rec. 186 also outlines a robust verification and certification framework, ensuring the safe and effective use of AM in critical marine applications. As part of its ongoing commitment to the adoption of AM technology, IACS will continue to work with stakeholders to expand the use of additive manufacturing in safety-critical marine components, offering innovative, on-demand solutions for the shipbuilding and offshore engineering sectors.
Alexandre Astruc, Chair of IACS’ Expert Group on Materials & Welding, commented on the publication of Rec. 186: “Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is increasingly becoming a valuable tool for the marine sector, offering a flexible, speedy and customisable solution for environments where the consequences for safety, sustainability or operational uptime can otherwise be significant. While its potential for rapid production is notable, its true strength lies in its ability to provide innovative, on-demand solutions tailored to complex maritime challenges. In developing Rec 186, IACS is seeking to safeguard the benefits offered by additive manufacturing by ensuring it is underpinned by a standardised framework for verification and certification that gives confidence to all parties.”
The publication of Rec. 186 represents a pivotal step towards the standardized and safe adoption of 3D printing in marine and offshore applications, encouraging innovation while ensuring the highest standards of safety and performance.
