RAMLAB designs the first boat propeller using additive manufacturing

In our latest addition of our TOP 5 videos of the week, we showed you a promising initiative for the marine industry coming straight to us from the Netherlands. Fiedlab (RAMLAB), an additive manufacturing company that is based in Rotterdam teamed up with Autodesk to produce a boat propeller prototype that is making history by bringing additive manufacturing to the maritime sector for the first time.

Deciding to work out of the Dutch port in Rotterdam was no coincidence, as it is the largest port in Europe; a major hub for a large number of carriers from around the world, and managing more than 460 million tons of goods a year. With the amount of traffic this port sees, it makes sense that when a ship is in need of a spare part, they need one as quickly as possible. Because typical waiting time for parts can take weeks to months and can cost millions of dollars in both ordering and storage costs, it comes as no surprise that the port would be looking for cheaper ways to maintain their ships.

The RAMLAB propeller

To help bring in these cheaper solutions, the Port of Rotterdam has opened the RAMLAB, a factory that is directly on site and that is equipped with two 6-axis robotic arms that are capable of 3D printing large metal parts. The RAMLAB team works with a dedicated network of hardware and software partners, academic institutions and end users; all of which help the functioning of this port.