Vincent Wegener, managing director of RAMLAB: "Existing 3D metal printers are limited to the maxi-mum dimensions of the biggest system and involve high powder costs. But welding robots are able to weld 1 to several kilos of material an hour using standard welding wire. That makes it possible to produce large parts with lower prices and in less time. At the RAMLAB we are now looking into the possibilities of this in close cooperation with strategic partners such as Valk Welding and Air Liquide and seaport-related companies in the Rotterdam region. Huisman and IHC were the first to join in."
Ship's propeller
One of the first parts that was successfully printed using this method was a double-curved part inspired on a ship's propeller. Vincent Wegener: "A part like this would normally be machined and finished from a casting. Delivering the casting alone would take weeks to a few months because this is a single item that will usually have to come from abroad. Using the welding robot we made it within a few hours and all that had to be done was to grind and polish it."
Quality guaranteed
According to Vincent Wegener the quality of castings is not always guaranteed. "But it is with robot weld-ing! Valk Welding robots generate the data needed to provide an insight into the weld quality. You can pass this on to the customer for reference.”
Hooking up
Vincent Wegener: "We've already done the prelimi-nary work and supplied the necessary files for a large crane hook that Huisman will be printing with its Valk Welding robots at its Czech plant. Huisman is one of the partners that recognises the big potential of 3D metal printing with welding robots and is planning to investigate and adapt the latest production devel-opments at an early stage. All of the partners are providing information about their requirements and experiences so that we can back each other up in this process. Several companies in the maritime and offshore sector will of course be able to hook up with the RAMLAB."
