ABS and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Sign JDP to Advance 3D Printing

(SINGAPORE) ABS and a consortium led by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed a groundbreaking joint development agreement (JDP) to enable the onboard manufacture of repair parts.

Utilizing a digital library for the design process and 3D printing, or additive manufacturing (AM), the consortium aims to facilitate rapid maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) for merchant vessels, particularly focusing on metallic materials. The project partners include ABS, HHI, CScam (a 3D printer manufacturer), and KITECH (a digital library developer).

Following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last year, the JDP outlines the development of a framework and methodology to assess parts fabricated at sea, using non-class parts as a benchmark against onshore printed samples.

“This is the first time a class society has been involved from the beginning of such research, and ABS is proud to provide guidance and our deep technological experience to this distinguished group of companies. We look forward to exploring the possibilities of additive manufacturing, which promises to support more efficient operations in the maritime industry,” said Dr. Gu Hai, ABS Vice President of Technology.

In parallel, ABS, HHI, and CScam have initiated New Technology Qualification (NTQ) procedures for additive manufacturing systems. HHI and CScam have successfully achieved NTQ Stages 1 and 2 from ABS, marking the first NTQ for additive manufacturing in Korea.

“We are excited to work with ABS on this cutting-edge technology that will help us explore additive manufacturing for complex shipbuilding parts. This is the first of its kind for marine ships and, with guidance from ABS, we look forward to manufacturing marine parts by 2025,” said Lee Hwan Sik, HHI Senior Vice President.

ABS NTQ services provide guidance and certification for the early adoption and efficient implementation of new technologies, demonstrating their maturity and systematically reviewing potential risks. More information on ABS’s AM services can be found here. Download a copy of the ABS Requirements for Additive Manufacturing here.

ABS has been involved in several industry-leading AM initiatives, including a project to manufacture and classify a 3D-printed propeller.