USS Essex Becomes First American Ship With a Metal 3D Printer Onboard

You may remember last year when the Naval Postgraduate School announced a partnership with Xerox to use the ElemX 3D printer to explore the capabilities of 3D printers for the Navy and Marine Corps. Well it seems that it has finally born fruit. The Naval Postgraduate School has now partnered with Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFPAC) to install a 3D printer on the first American war ship. The Xerox 3D printer was placed on Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) according to a press release from COMNAVSURFPAC.

3D printing has become attractive in many industries for its speed and cost-effective parts, but navies worldwide have had their eye on the technology for an even more innovative reason. It has long been posited that by having a 3D printer onboard, ships could become more self sufficient, notably allowing them to print replacement parts even when they are out at sea. In this case, the ElemX was chosen not just because of the partnership but also because it it is one of the fastest printers on the market thanks to its unique liquid 3D printing process. Additionally, it is able to print parts made out of aluminum that are up to 10″ by 10″, including common components like heat sinks, housings, fuel adapters, bleed air valves, valve covers and more.

Dan Porter, a Xerox technician, assembles a 3D printer head aboard the USS Essex (Photo Credits: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Isaak Martinez)

Although the Essex has always had the capability to manufacture small items needed on the ship, they expect that the 3D printer will expand their capabilities. Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jonah Waage expanded, “We have never been able to make something with the precision and intricacy that this new 3D printer will provide which is important because it will contribute to saving time and money for our Navy in the long run.” Ultimately, the goal is to test and evaluate the 3D printer during underway (at sea) conditions in order to determine its viability when out to sea, a long-time project of the navy. The USS Essex is the first ship to take part, however it seems likely that others may join in the future.