HD Hyundai Heavy tests 3D printer to produce ship parts at sea

Korea’s leading shipbuilder, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, announced Monday that it has developed a 3D printing solution capable of producing metal ship parts while at sea.

A consortium led by the company recently completed the final assessment and pilot test of the printer at HD Hyundai Samho, its smaller affiliate under HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province. During the test, the shipbuilder simulated a moving ship environment to verify the technology’s functionality offshore.

Along with HD HHI, the project involved 3D printer maker CScam, container shipper HMM, ship classifier Korean Register and Ulsan Metropolitan City.

Once operational, the printer can produce up to 350 essential parts for maintenance, repair and operation, saving ships' time by avoiding detours to ports and waiting for deliveries, the company said.

Additionally, HD HHI tested an auxiliary device designed to absorb the ship's motions and vibrations on board, ensuring stable parts production in real-world conditions.

After the project is completed in December, the company plans to commercialize the technology while creating a digital platform that stores part designs, enabling the printer to produce them on demand. For smaller ships that cannot carry the printer on board, it will install printers at ports, enabling ships to receive needed parts immediately along their route.

Looking ahead, HD HHI is collaborating with HD KSOE to develop more materials for parts production, aiming to offer a broader selection and reduce production costs.

“The test proved the competitiveness of additive manufacturing in the shipbuilding industry,” said an HD HHI official. “We will lead innovation in the ship maintenance, repair and operation sector through continual research and development.”