RAMLAB continuous forward in their creation of a 3D printed boat propeller

In the port of Rotterdam, the biggest port in Europe, a 3D printing lab was set up some time ago to test additive manufacturing in the shipbuilding sector: RAMLAB propellers for boats.

Last May you may remember that we presented you with the partnership between Autodesk and Rotterdam’s Additive Manufacturing Fiedlab (RAMLAB), whose collaboration allowed for the 3D printing of a small-scale boat propeller. Since then, they have succeeded in creating a full-scale prototype!

With a diameter of 1350 mm, the 3D-inspired propeller is the result of collaboration between Autodesk, Damen Shipyards Group, Promarin and Bureau Veritas. Since May, they have now succeeded in creating their first prototype from a model made on the Autodesk software. A prototype that is made out of nickel alloy, aluminum and bronze (NAB). Its design is based on a three-blade configuration developed by Promarin, a German propeller shop. The structure is the same as the one used for Damen’s Stan Tug 1606.