First Type Approval for 3D printing feedstock

The company received approval for their solid wire 3Dprint AM 70/I1 feedstock based on DNV’s new class program, DNV-CP-291 “Additive Manufacturing Feedstock”. The Type Approval certificate is the first of its kind to be issued by a classification society.

Feedstock is one of the most critical aspects in metal additive manufacturing, as it determines component and process quality and repeatability.

Torgeir Sterri, Regional Manager, West Europe at DNV Maritime, said additive manufacturing could have a significant impact on the maritime production chain, by enabling parts printed on demand, even onboard vessels, reducing waiting times and the carbon footprint of the overall supply chain.

“The approval closes the gap in the supply chain from feedstock to part and it shows a promising perspective how a qualification performs according to the guidelines of a ship classification society, said Dr. Martin Peruzzi, CTO of voestalpine Böhler Welding.

In 2017, DNV published the first guideline for the use of additive manufacturing in the maritime and energy industries, and in 2018 it developed the first approval of manufacturer scheme. In 2019, DNV developed the Type Approval program for feedstock, for producers wishing to supply products that comply with the DNV rules and standards. The Type Approval program is designed to verify a manufacturers’ ability to deliver products to given specifications and in accordance with the requirements of the DNV rules.