HMM announced on Monday that it will demonstrate the “3D printing system for ships” for the first time in Korea. This system uses 3D printing to produce parts necessary for ship operations. It can instantly create 350 small and medium-sized parts, ranging from bolts and nuts to flanges.
The demonstration will take place on the 9,000-ton container ship HMM Green. HMM plans to inspect the system’s smooth operation in an actual operational environment and assess the availability of ship parts.
The company aims to enhance durability in this demonstration by producing parts made from stainless steel powder rather than the plastics typically used in existing ship 3D printing systems.
If commercialized, the system is expected to improve part procurement times and inventory levels, potentially reducing costs and time associated with ship maintenance.
For this technological development, HMM has entered into collaborative agreements with several organizations, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the Korean Register, the American Bureau of Shipping, the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute, Ulsan Metropolitan City, the Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency, and CSCAM. The joint research will be conducted using purely domestic technology.
An HMM spokesperson said, “We are committed to actively participating in various research and development initiatives involving cutting-edge technologies. By introducing new technologies, we aim to strengthen our competitiveness in the industry.”