AdditiveNow prepare to launch one of the fastest 3D printers on the market
• AdditiveNow has signed an agreement with Aurora Labs to lease their RMP-1 (Rapid Manufacturing Technology) printer
• Printing up to 350 kilograms per day, this new printer makes additive manufacturing a reality for oil and gas
• AdditiveNow is supporting the development of standards for 3D printing in the oil and gas industry
AdditiveNow has signed an agreement with Aurora Labs to lease its RMP-1 3D printer. Unlike current powder bed fusion printers, the RMP-1 prints multiple layers at a time, making it one of the fastest in the industry and can print complex parts to a high specification and accuracy. Printing at such high speed, up to 350 kilograms per day, it now makes additive manufacturing a cost effective tool for resource and chemicals operators.
Faster printing makes good economic sense for additive manufacturing
To date, 3D printers have been slow and expensive, with machine amortisation contributing significantly to the cost of a part. Faster printing speed means greater production throughput, and parts are significantly cheaper.
“Up to 50 percent of printing cost is the amortization cost of printers,” explains Vincenzo Nici, Advisor at AdditiveNow. “By doubling the printing speed, the RMP-1 printer halves the amortization cost per kilogram of finished parts, reducing their cost by up to 25 percent and sometimes more.”
Setting additive manufacturing standards to break down barriers to adoption
As well as providing access to fast printers, AdditiveNow are also supporting the development of standards for additive manufacturing in the oil and gas industry. AdditiveNow are working with the American Petroleum Institute (API) standards body to develop the supply chain standard for Additive Manufacturing for offshore design which will form the basis for parts being certified for use in the oil and gas industry.
“To use almost any part in an oil and gas facility, it must be certified to a code. That’s why setting standards for additive manufactured parts can’t be under estimated when considering the adoption of 3D printing technology in the energy industry,” says John Bolto, General Manager at AdditiveNow. “Once these additive manufacturing standards are set, operators can be confident that their 3D printed parts meet global and industry-recognized regulations.”
AdditiveNow is working with a team made up of printer manufacturers, additive manufacturing service providers, powder suppliers, equipment OEMs and operators to write and publish the API Additive Manufacturing specifications. They’re also working with DNV GL, one of the world’s largest classification and certification societies, to approve the certification of 3D printed parts.
3D printing just got a lot more interesting
Faster printers and industry standards make additive manufacturing more viable than ever before. It also gives companies a choice in the way they want to manufacture parts for their assets.
“The industry can start to consider their value drivers when making decisions about their manufacturing methods, rather than just having traditional methods of doing things,” says Nici. “Who knows, the most efficient way of manufacturing could be a combination of both additive manufacturing and traditional manufacturing.”
“Either way, operators are now empowered to do what’s make the most economical sense for their business.”
