Lloyd’s Register Group Limited has announced a new global certification framework to help additive manufacturing (AM) companies and end users achieve ‘best practices’ in the industry.
The framework will greatly enhance the use of certified products produced using additive manufacturing and improve cost efficiencies with repeatable quality engineered components. This will provide the much needed confidence for manufacturers and operators to invest in metallic components created with additive manufacturing.
Additive manufacturing is being hailed as the next industrial revolution in the manufacturing sector. The new framework represents a significant move by the global risk consulting services to aid the industry in harnessing this technology.
Lloyd’s Register’s certification framework provides a detailed step-by-step approach and acts as a stabilizing entity which ensures quality and safety.
The framework’s adoption will support long-term sustainability of the marine and energy industries. The adoption of AM components could also help provide considerable cost savings in the oil and natural gas sector by expediting the replacement of worn out and decommissioned parts.
Many pharmaceuticals and aerospace companies have already adopted AM components because of its ability to create complex parts with fewer materials, reduced weight and an extremely high precision level.
Combining various parts into a single printed component is achievable and can lead to significant cost savings in product maintenance and assembly. Companies are also in the process of investigating hybrid production with a view to reduce the outlay on high-value materials.
Chris Chung, Head of Strategic Research at Lloyd’s Register Energy, stated: “As the Lloyd’s Register Energy Technology Radar survey suggests, AM will have a major impact in the oil and gas industry in the next five years. That is why last year, together with TWI and a number of industry partners, we brought together research and development efforts with real-world AM practices.”
“Our new certification guidelines, launched today to industry, are already being used by companies in this joint industry project to gain early certification of AM components.”
Image courtesy of Lloyd’s Register
