For the first time in the world! Modern heavy industry ship spare parts 3D printing fusion new technology is certified

On May 20th, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea announced that its 3D printing fusion technology for ship maintenance components developed in collaboration with the South Korean industry has passed the New Technology Use Qualification Certification (NTQ) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS); New Technology Qualification Phase 2 certification.

It is reported that in ship MRO (Maintenance), In the field of Repair&Operations, 3D printing technology has been internationally certified for the first time in the world.

MRO materials refer to items required for repair, maintenance, and operation, including spare parts, tools, chemicals, accessories, and other consumables, consumables, etc.

Last September, Ulsan City in South Korea collaborated with Ulsan Information Industry Revitalization Institute (UIPA), Korea Production Technology Research Institute (KITECH), Korea Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Research Institute CSCAM, HD Modern Heavy Industries HD Korea Shipbuilding Marine HMM、 Nine shipbuilding and shipping companies, including Korea Classification Society (KR) and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and related institutions, have signed business agreements to jointly promote the South Korean Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Resources's "Demonstration Technology for 3D Printing Integration of MRO Parts for Self manufactured Ships in Navigation" project.

Ulsan City plans to invest 4.6 billion Korean won (approximately 3.5 million US dollars) from last year until December 2025, including 3 billion Korean won from the government, 600 million Korean won from Ulsan City, and 1 billion Korean won from private capital, to develop core technologies for offshore 3D printing, construct part libraries, and accelerate the construction of an onshore offshore MRO connection system.

The American Bureau of Shipping and the Korean Bureau of Shipping will be responsible for promoting the quality supervision and assurance related business of this project, and cooperating to promote and popularize it as a trustworthy 3D printed MRO component both domestically and internationally.

It is reported that a consortium of 9 shipbuilding and shipping companies and related institutions has successfully completed the basic design by completing the conceptual design and Hazard Identification Study of the project.

The NTQ certification obtained by HD Modern Heavy Industry this time is a certification from the American Bureau of Shipping to confirm the possibility, maturity, and qualification of new technology implementation, providing early application and implementation guidelines for technology.

HD Modern Heavy Industry has confirmed the possibility of implementing the new technology in the first stage and completed the technical value evaluation in the second stage during the 5-stage NTQ certification.
It is reported that after the successful development and commercialization of this technology, if the MRO materials for ships reach mass production, it will only take 2 days to achieve supply. That is, the supply time for ordinary products will be shortened by 11 days from the current longest of 13 days, and the supply time for customized products will be shortened by 231 days from the current factory's longest of 233 days. This is expected to ensure the international competitiveness and new market dominance of South Korea's shipbuilding industry.

"Taking this certification as an opportunity, Korean technology will occupy a leading position in the field of ship MRO business," said Chun Seung ho, the head of HD Modern Heavy Industry Technology
In recent years, the South Korean shipbuilding industry has been collaborating with various parties to accelerate the application of 3D printing technology. In December 2021, Ulsan City released the "2030 Ulsan 3D Printing Development Blueprint", which includes building a collaborative foundation centered around a 3D printing fusion technology center, developing 10 core technologies such as shipbuilding, automotive, and energy, developing a 3D printing special zone, and establishing a human training center. The goal is to become the "largest 3D printing industry center city in South Korea that leads manufacturing innovation.".

In February 2022, the Ulsan Information Industry Revitalization Institute, Korean Production Technology Research Institute, Korean 3D Printing Integration Technology Association, Korean Classification Society HD Modern Heavy Industries Hankook Steel Co., LTD and 11 other relevant institutions and enterprises have signed a "Development Business Agreement for 3D Printing in the Shipbuilding and Marine Industry", prioritizing the development of projects such as "3D Printing of Ship Models", "Practical Application of 3D Printing of Ship Accessories Castings", "Marine 3D Printers", and "3D Printing of Ship Interior".

In February 2022, HD Modern Heavy Industry has signed a "Development Business Agreement for 3D Printing in the Shipbuilding and Marine Industry" with institutions such as the Ulsan Information Industry Revitalization Institute, the Korea Production Technology Research Institute, the Korea 3D Printing Integration Technology Association, and the Korea Classification Society. In May 2022, Han Hua Ocean collaborated with US 3D printing service provider Ingersoll to "print" a 10 meter double shell model test ship.

In September 2022, Ulsan City announced that Metal3d, a resident enterprise of its 3D printing knowledge industry center, had used 3D printing technology to achieve mass production of large-scale marine engine components for the first time. Moreover, Metal3d has signed an annual 3D printing component supply contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries worth 2 billion Korean won. This is also the first time in the world that metal 3D printing has been used to manufacture and deliver ship engine components, and the delivery time is expected to be shortened from 3 months to 1 month.

In January 2023, the ship's steel castings made using 3D printing molds, jointly developed by HD Modern Heavy Industries, 3D printing enterprise SFS, and Korea Steel Casting Co., Ltd., obtained a factory recognition certificate issued by Korea Classification Society. This certification is the first example of Korean Classification Society's factory recognition of steel castings developed using 3D printing technology, HD Modern Heavy Industries plans to subsequently validate and place bulk orders for related products.