Bureau Veritas Certifies New Generation 3D Printed Propeller

Bureau Veritas (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification, has certified a new-generation 3D printed propeller manufactured by Naval Group.

With its 2.5-meter span supported by five 200-kg blades, Naval Group manufactured this new-generation propeller thanks to a metal 3D printing process. Mounted on a Tripartite-class minehunter, the propeller will now accompany the ship on all of its operational missions.

The propeller is a technological achievement, as the largest metal 3D-printed propeller ever manufactured, and the first one made using additive manufacturing technology to equip a military ship in operation.

Image Credits: Naval Grop

Obtaining military naval quality requires rigorous development. Bureau Veritas has been involved at every step of the manufacturing and testing process. Building on our technical expertise and innovation capabilities in 3D printing technology for the maritime industry, we worked closely with Naval Group throughout the process to:

• Define the qualification plan for the process
• Define the production testing and inspection plan for the 3D printed parts
• Witness manufacturing steps and testing
• Verify the quality records and test reports

Laurent Leblanc, Senior Vice President Technical & Operations at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, commented: “Being the trusted certification partner for this innovative and demanding project has been an opportunity to demonstrate how Bureau Veritas brings expertise and added-value as a partner for innovation. This technology is promising and opens the room for further, more complex, innovations in additive manufacturing.”

Emmanuel Chol, Director of the Naval Group Nantes-Indret site, added: “Including Bureau Veritas from the very beginning was vital for us to reach our goal of bringing the WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) process from its research & development stage to actionable industrial standards. In this regard, we are very proud to have obtained BV’s certification of the 3D-printed propeller blades, reflecting the industrial maturity of Naval Group as well as our capacity to meet the highest and most rigorous of standards.”

Bureau Veritas has been active for more than 20 years in naval ships. We help ensure the design of vessels meets recognized standards, working with clients to optimize designs and identify innovative solutions. Our classification services cover a range of combat and governmental vessels: frigates, corvettes, submarines, multipurpose vessels, aircraft carriers, amphibious vessels, auxiliary vessels, landing crafts, replenishment crafts, OPVs, and other governmental vessels.

Press Release

Source: Maritime Shipping News