Malin Marine Consultants (MMC), a part of the Malin Group, working with the Nationwide Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), has accomplished the second part of the Marine Vessel Lightweighting programme, MariLight 2.0. A redesigned tapping ring, manufactured utilizing large-scale additive processes, achieved a ten% discount in greenhouse fuel emissions, 90% shorter lead instances, and a 13% lower in vessel weight throughout testing. NMIS is operated by the College of Strathclyde and is a part of the UK’s Excessive Worth Manufacturing Catapult.
MMC coordinated the challenge to maneuver away from typical guide fabrication towards digitally enabled manufacturing. The tapping ring, a element used to bolster openings lower into vessel decks or tanks, was manufactured on the NMIS Digital Manufacturing unit utilizing Direct Vitality Deposition-Arc (DED-Arc). This course of builds metallic elements layer by layer with superior welding methods, enabling on-demand manufacturing with restricted waste. Hydrostatic and leak checks beneath sustained strain verified the half’s efficiency. Lloyd’s Register, a world classification and certification physique, witnessed the trials to offer impartial affirmation.
Consortium members contributed design, modelling and information experience. Altair, an engineering software program firm, produced the topology-optimised tapping ring design utilizing its Encourage and Optistruct platforms. Hexagon, a supplier of simulation and metrology instruments, modelled the DED-Arc course of, assessing temperature gradients and distortion prediction. Siccar, a Scottish expertise firm, delivered a safe data-sharing platform to allow traceability and real-time entry to verified info throughout the availability chain. Defence contractor BAE Methods and Caley Ocean Methods, a part of the Pryme Group, additionally participated within the programme.
Challenge leads pointed to verification as central to trade adoption. “MariLight 2.0 showcases the real-world potential of large-scale additive manufacturing within the maritime sector. By combining superior digital processes with rigorous certification protocols, we’ve demonstrated how this expertise can help extra sustainable, environment friendly manufacturing strategies. This challenge highlights NMIS’s capacity to assist trade transition to cleaner, extra agile manufacturing and helps Scotland progress in direction of web zero ambitions,” mentioned Misael Pimentel, MariLight 2.0 challenge lead at NMIS.
Chris Dunn, managing director of MMC, mentioned: “MariLight 2 represented a serious step ahead within the validation of additive manufacturing, and its potential affect on extra sustainable, environment friendly manufacturing strategies inside the maritime sector. Having Lloyd’s Register current on the trials, and to then certify the tapping ring vastly enhances confidence within the business deployment of those progressive elements. As a core member of the challenge consortium, NMIS performed a key position on this, harnessing their technical experience to fabricate an optimised tapping ring utilizing DED-Arc expertise.”
Adam Saxty at Lloyd’s Register added: “Additive manufacturing has monumental potential to help shipbuilding in turning into extra sustainable. Because the MariLight 2 challenge demonstrates, the expertise can manufacture extremely environment friendly, topology-optimised elements. The outcomes of the testing accomplished thus far are encouraging. Lloyd’s Register is happy to help the continued growth of those superior manufacturing methods as they progress towards wider adoption within the trade.”
NMIS is a bunch of producing analysis, innovation and expertise services supported by companions throughout Scotland. It opened its flagship Renfrewshire constructing in June 2023, which homes the Digital Manufacturing unit, the Manufacturing Abilities Academy, the Light-weight Manufacturing Centre and a public collaboration hub.
MariLight 2.0 acquired funding from the Division for Transport’s Clear Maritime Demonstration Competitors (Spherical 4), which helps initiatives contributing to the UK’s 2050 net-zero maritime emissions goal. Outcomes from the topology-optimised tapping ring present proof that large-scale 3D printing can scale back emissions, shorten lead instances and enhance provide chain resilience in shipbuilding.
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Featured photograph Misael Pimentel, challenge lead at NMIS. Photograph through the Nationwide Manufacturing Institute Scotland.
