APL and GKN Aerospace Develop Motion Compensation for 3D Printing at Sea for Navy Applications
The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and GKN Aerospace are collaborating to develop technology for metal 3D printing on moving naval platforms. Funded by NAVSEA, the initiative aims to simulate ship movements to enable reproducible production of spare parts at sea. Successful testing of metal coupons and 3D printed parts indicates progress towards producing mission-critical components aboard ships, enhancing fleet readiness.
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APL and GKN Aerospace are working together to create technology that allows metal 3D printing on moving ships, funded by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). This collaboration focuses on simulating ship movements to ensure reliable production of spare parts at sea.
In 2023, APL installed a hybrid metal 3D printer on the USS Bataan (LHD 5) and successfully produced a spare part. The project aims to transition from non-critical to mission-critical components, enhancing fleet readiness. Testing has demonstrated the ability to print under various sea conditions, with the key challenge being to maintain stable production despite ship movements.
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