BV certifies 3D printed propeller

The 2.5m propeller has five 200kg blades and will be mounted on a Tripartite-class minehunter. The propeller is said to be the largest metal 3D-printed propeller ever manufactured, and the first one made using additive manufacturing technology to equip a military ship in operation.

BV has worked closely with Naval Group to define the qualification plan for the process, define the production testing and inspection plan for the 3D printed parts, witness manufacturing steps and testing and verify the quality records and test reports.

“Being the trusted certification partner for this innovative and demanding project has been an opportunity to demonstrate how Bureau Veritas brings expertise and added-value as a partner for innovation,” commented Laurent Leblanc, senior vice president technical & operations at Bureau Veritas marine & offshore.

“This technology is promising and opens the room for further, more complex, innovations in additive manufacturing,” he added.

Emmanuel Chol, director of the Naval Group Nantes-Indret site, said that including BV from the beginning was vital in bringing the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing process from its research and development stage to actionable industrial standards.

“In this regard, we are very proud to have obtained BV’s certification of the 3D-printed propeller blades, reflecting the industrial maturity of Naval Group as well as our capacity to meet the highest and most rigorous of standards,” he said.