Offshore staff
SCHIEDAM, the Netherlands – Huisman claims to have produced the world’s first 3D printed offshore crane hook.
The device has passed its 80-metric ton load test and all associated quality control checks.
Crane hooks are conventionally manufactured using casting or forging techniques.
Huisman employs the 3D printing technique ‘Wire & Arc Additive Manufacturing’ (WAAM) to fabricate mid-size to large components with high grade tensile steel, including a large four-prong hook, with a printed weight close to 1,000 kg.
Benefits of larger crane hooks, the company claims, are shorter delivery times at a cost competitive with forgings and castings, and a more consistent level of quality.
The company adds that it can also apply WAAM to manufacture other components with complex shapes, short delivery times or local alternative material properties, for instance, to improve wear and corrosion resistance.
Its near-term goal is to improve the process by lowering the cost of the technique and to increase manufacturing capabilities up to items of 2,500 kg printed weight.
01/16/2018
