USS San Diego Has Successfully Implemented Metal 3D Printing While Afloat

It would not be hyperbole to say that the U.S. Navy has quickly become one of the main adopters of additive manufacturing in the defense sector. We have heard time and time again about successful uses of 3D printing for both boats and submarines, whether as a way to overcome supply chain breakdowns or to ensure that even while at sea it will be possible to access parts. Now there yet another milestone has been achieved. ADDiTEC has announced that the Navy has successfully implemented liquid metal jetting (LMJ) while afloat, printing a high-strength aluminum alloy part.

You may have heard of liquid metal jetting before. The metal 3D printing technology was originally used in Xerox solutions and the U.S. Navy was an early adopter. However, after Xerox announced the end of its additive manufacturing activities, ADDiTEC was the one to save the technology, acquiring the 3D printing business of Xerox as well as the machines. And it is on a containerized ElemX 3D printer using LMJ that parts were made.

The ElemX 3D printer on the USS San Diego (photo credits: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Woods/U.S. Navy)

Using Metal 3D Printing on the USS San Diego

The U.S. Navy was able to successfully use the 3D printer to produce functional parts afloat while home ported in San Diego. Even more exceptionally, they managed to achieve a milestone by using high-strength aluminum alloys, such as Al-6061. Not only was the process efficient, but it seems that the essential printed parts were evaluated afterwards for quality and performance, and the results showed that they were acceptable and functional for the intended application.