The Role of Large Format Additive Manufacturing in Boat Building and Repair

In the maritime sector, additive manufacturing is becoming popular for the production of boats, whether to design custom parts, higher-performance components or entire models. In Greece, one of the countries where tourism is a key asset for the economy, the rental and sale of boats is booming and has become a sector with a significant amount of demand. Among the players in the market is Stefos Yacht Services, a company that maintains and repairs a large number of sailing and motor boats, often within strict deadlines. Recently, it has been using a large-format 3D printing solution to accelerate its manufacturing processes and offer its customers more tailored and efficient results. Accompanied by Lino3D, which prints the parts and ensures their post-processing, Stefos Yacht Services can rely on a real expertise and benefit from the advantages of XXL 3D printing.

Massivit3D is a manufacturer of large-format 3D printers that offers solutions with a very generous printing volume of 145 x 111 x 180 cm. Thus, the company addresses industries that need to produce large parts, all at high speeds. This is particularly interesting for the maritime industry, especially for repairing ships that need to get back on the water as soon as possible. For example, the manufacturer’s large-format machines can be used to produce instrument panels or radar masts. Thanks to its large build volume, the parts are manufactured in one go, without any assembly step, which facilitates their waterproofing and thus their duration in time. In addition, less waste is generated, reducing the environmental impact.

A piece 3D printed on a Massivit machine

That’s probably what prompted Stefos Yacht Services to rely on Massivit3D’s additive manufacturing solutions. Company founder and CEO Dimitris Stefos explained, “I started to look into the type of 3D printers we could use to meet our needs. We needed a solution that was large, fast and could be deployed easily. That’s when I met the Lino3D team who advised me and directed me to a Massivit3D machine.” For the time being, Lino3D is 3D printing the necessary parts for Stefos Yacht Services and, thanks to the company’s experience in shipbuilding and repair, is post-processing the part.