Unlocking the Future: Additive Manufacturing Certification for Energy, Oil & Gas, and Maritime Industries
The landscape of industrial manufacturing is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the advent of Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing. This revolutionary technology offers unprecedented capabilities for producing complex, high-performance metallic parts, poised to reshape critical sectors such as energy, oil & gas, and maritime. However, integrating AM into these highly regulated environments demands rigorous qualification and certification processes to ensure the utmost safety, reliability, and operational integrity of components. This article delves into the essential certification journey, highlighted by a recent exclusive webinar that explored the pivotal DNV-ST-B203 standard and celebrated Aidro’s prestigious AM manufacturer certificate for Desktop Metal’s advanced binder jetting technology. We were honored to host industry leaders from Aidro, Desktop Metal, and DNV, an internationally acclaimed accredited registrar and classification society, to shed light on these crucial developments.
Additive Manufacturing is not merely an incremental improvement; it is a paradigm shift in how components are designed, produced, and deployed across diverse industries. Its potential in the energy sector, encompassing traditional oil & gas operations, renewable energy infrastructure, and vital maritime applications, is immense. From custom-designed replacement parts that enhance efficiency and extend asset lifecycles, to innovative new components that improve performance and reduce environmental impact, AM promises a future of unparalleled manufacturing agility. Yet, to fully harness this potential and enable widespread adoption, especially for mission-critical components, robust and internationally recognized qualification processes are indispensable. These processes guarantee that AM-produced parts meet the highest standards of quality and resilience, building critical trust necessary for industrial application.
Navigating Additive Manufacturing Qualification in Critical Industries
Our recent webinar served as an invaluable guide for stakeholders seeking to understand and implement the qualification and certification of AM-produced parts specifically tailored for the demanding energy, oil & gas, and maritime sectors. Attendees gained unparalleled insights directly from Aidro, a pioneering manufacturer that not only embraces additive manufacturing but has also achieved DNV’s highly coveted AM manufacturer certification for their application of binder jetting technology. This included firsthand accounts and user experiences, providing practical perspectives on the challenges and triumphs of navigating the certification landscape.
Beyond the fundamental qualification pathways, the webinar also illuminated advanced operational aspects of additive manufacturing. Participants acquired crucial knowledge about the strategic implementation of AM within the energy sector, particularly focusing on how to effectively navigate the qualification process using advanced technologies like binder jetting. A significant highlight was the demonstration and discussion around Desktop Metal’s Live Monitor™ (featured in the video above), a cutting-edge tool designed to remotely track production in real-time. This capability not only enhances quality control and operational efficiency but also facilitates global collaboration and remote project management, critical for geographically dispersed energy and maritime operations. For those who couldn’t attend the live event, the full webinar replay offers comprehensive access to all discussions and demonstrations.
The DNV-ST-B203 Standard: A Benchmark for Trust and Safety
DNV, as a global classification society and accredited registrar, plays a critical role in establishing trust and ensuring the safety of advanced technologies like additive manufacturing. Their DNV-ST-B203 standard is specifically designed for the qualification and certification of additively manufactured metallic parts. This rigorous standard provides a comprehensive framework that covers everything from material characterization and process qualification to component testing and quality management systems. Adherence to such a standard is paramount in industries where component failure can lead to catastrophic consequences, including environmental damage, significant financial loss, and endangerment of human lives.
The DNV-ST-B203 standard acts as a critical bridge, allowing AM to move from niche applications to widespread industrial use in demanding sectors. It provides manufacturers with clear guidelines and benchmarks, fostering confidence among end-users, regulators, and insurance providers. By meticulously defining the requirements for material integrity, process repeatability, and component performance, DNV helps to de-risk the adoption of AM, enabling innovative solutions to be deployed safely and reliably. This standard is not just about compliance; it’s about setting a global benchmark for excellence in AM, ensuring that every certified part contributes to safer, more efficient, and sustainable operations.
Aidro and Desktop Metal: Pioneering Certified Binder Jetting Technology
The achievement of Aidro, a Desktop Metal company, in securing the DNV AM manufacturer certification for its binder jetting technology marks a significant milestone for the entire additive manufacturing industry. Aidro has long been recognized for its expertise in hydraulic systems and components, and their foray into AM with binder jetting demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to innovation. Binder jetting is a particularly promising AM technology for industrial applications due to its cost-effectiveness, high throughput, and ability to process a wide range of metal powders. Unlike some other AM processes, binder jetting does not use lasers or electron beams to melt powder, instead utilizing a liquid binding agent to create parts layer by layer, which are then sintered to achieve desired material properties.
This certification signifies that Aidro’s manufacturing process, quality control systems, and the resulting metallic parts produced using Desktop Metal’s binder jetting platforms meet the stringent requirements of DNV-ST-B203. For the energy, oil & gas, and maritime sectors, this means that components like valves, manifolds, and other critical hydraulic parts can now be additively manufactured with an internationally recognized stamp of approval for safety and performance. This not only opens doors for more complex and optimized designs but also paves the way for reduced lead times, improved supply chain resilience, and the potential for on-demand manufacturing of spare parts in remote locations.
The collaboration between Aidro and Desktop Metal exemplifies how industry leaders are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AM. By focusing on binder jetting, they are addressing the need for cost-effective, high-volume production of end-use metal parts. The DNV certification validates their commitment to quality and sets a precedent for other manufacturers looking to leverage additive manufacturing for critical industrial applications. This accomplishment is a testament to the meticulous engineering, material science expertise, and rigorous testing required to bring AM into mainstream industrial use with confidence.
Meet Our Esteemed Speakers
Our webinar featured an exceptional panel of experts, each bringing unique insights from their respective fields:
Dr. Sastry Kandukuri is a highly accomplished digital materials and manufacturing technology professional with over two decades of extensive experience across the Maritime, Oil & Gas, and Manufacturing sectors. Holding advanced degrees in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, alongside a Master’s in Computer Science, Dr. Kandukuri’s expertise is unparalleled. As a key figure at DNV, he provides critical subject matter expertise in the qualification and certification of additive and conventional manufacturing processes, materials, facilities, and designs. He is also instrumental in delivering comprehensive training and ensuring compliance with stringent quality and code standards. Dr. Kandukuri actively guides DNV’s clients through their additive manufacturing adoption journey, particularly within heavy industries like Maritime, Oil & Gas, and Mining, working to build and enhance trust in AM products through rigorous standards and practical application.
Valeria Tirelli serves as the President and CEO of Aidro, now a proud Desktop Metal company. Under her enthusiastic leadership, Aidro has become a leader in integrating additive manufacturing into the demanding field of hydraulics. Continuing the legacy of the company founded by her father four decades ago, Valeria has steered Aidro’s specialization in the design and production of advanced mechanical components, including high-performance valves, manifolds, and intricate hydraulic systems. Since 2021, Aidro’s partnership with the Desktop Metal Group has accelerated the movement of 3D metal printing towards mass production for a wide array of applications in Oil & Gas, Energy, Aerospace, and Fluid Power. Valeria is a passionate advocate for the adoption of additive manufacturing and its inherent sustainability benefits, actively promoting the technology’s role in reducing the carbon footprint across various industrial sectors. Her commitment extends to participation in international groups dedicated to defining essential guidelines and standards for additive manufacturing, reinforcing its safe and effective deployment. Furthermore, she plays a vital role in organizing events and fostering networking opportunities, notably through her involvement with the Italian Association of Women in 3D Printing, contributing significantly to the wider AM community.
Sean Roberts joined the innovative Desktop Metal team in 2022, where he expertly manages the company’s extensive suite of additive metal technologies. His responsibilities encompass a wide range of cutting-edge solutions, including the Studio and Shop Systems, the advanced Production and X-series platforms, Furnace technology, and all associated materials and consumables. Prior to his tenure at Desktop Metal, Sean honed his product management skills as a Product Manager for the high-speed graphics portfolio at Electronics For Imaging, demonstrating a consistent track record of success in complex technological environments. He also held various general management positions within prominent print organizations throughout New England, broadening his operational and strategic expertise. Sean holds a BA in Graphic Communication from Northern Vermont University and an MBA in Global Business from Southern New Hampshire University. His comprehensive understanding of product lifecycle management is further solidified by his certification as a Product Manager from the distinguished Pragmatic Marketing Institute, making him a crucial asset in driving the adoption of Desktop Metal’s advanced AM solutions.
The Future is Now: Expanding Additive Manufacturing in Energy, Oil & Gas, and Maritime
The successful certification of Aidro’s binder jetting technology by DNV marks a pivotal moment for additive manufacturing. It underscores the maturity of AM processes and the capability of the industry to meet the stringent demands of critical sectors. This achievement is not an isolated event but rather a beacon for broader adoption, signaling to other manufacturers and end-users that the path to certified AM parts is clear and supported by robust standards. The implications are profound: greater design freedom, faster innovation cycles, more efficient resource utilization, and ultimately, enhanced safety and performance in environments where compromise is not an option.
As we look to the future, the integration of certified additive manufacturing will continue to drive sustainability initiatives within the energy, oil & gas, and maritime industries. By enabling the production of lighter components, reducing material waste, and facilitating on-demand manufacturing close to the point of need, AM significantly contributes to a lower carbon footprint and more resilient supply chains. The insights shared in our webinar, particularly regarding the DNV-ST-B203 standard and Aidro’s pioneering work with Desktop Metal’s binder jetting, serve as a foundational step towards this innovative future. It highlights a collective commitment from industry, technology providers, and certification bodies to foster an environment of trust and reliability for additively manufactured metallic parts.
We invite you to join the conversation and delve deeper into these critical advancements. If you are interested in exploring the intricacies of earning AM qualifications in the energy sector or wish to learn more about the technologies and standards discussed, we encourage you to engage with us. You can still register for free HERE to access the full webinar replay and unlock a wealth of knowledge. Share your thoughts and questions in a comment below or connect with us on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t miss out on the latest 3D printing news; sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, delivered straight to your inbox. All our informative videos, including this webinar, are also available on our YouTube channel. Be part of the evolving story of additive manufacturing and its transformative impact on global industries.