3D printing at sea: The Royal Netherlands Navy relies on additive manufacturing for spare parts

The Royal Netherlands Navy faces the challenge of keeping its global fleet of ships, helicopters and submarines in operational condition. The supply of spare parts poses a logistical problem. Carrying large quantities of spare parts is impractical due to the limited storage space and additional weight. In addition, the availability of important components often depends on manufacturers who may cease production. To counteract these problems, the navy is increasingly relying on 3D printing technologies that enable the production of necessary spare parts directly on board.

The Navy’s ships are equipped with UltiMaker 3D printers, which can process a wide range of materials. The required components are designed and tested at the headquarters in Den Helder. After successful testing, the designs are added to a digital catalog system that the crews can use on their missions. They simply select the required part and print it on site. Optimized components with improved properties can also be distributed digitally and produced locally.

For operational security and IT requirements, the Navy uses the UltiMaker software solutions Cura and Digital Factory. Cura is a slicing software standard in the preparation of 3D print jobs, while Digital Factory enables print jobs to be managed and monitored securely and efficiently – even across large teams. Data security is always maintained without compromising accessibility.

Marine uses a variety of filaments, including ABS, PETG and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. PETG, for example, offers resistance to extreme temperatures, chemicals and moisture and is therefore particularly suitable for the requirements on board. For example, a water filter was printed from PETG to replace an old brass component that was susceptible to salt water. Carbon fiber composites are used for lightweight but robust components such as antenna mounts, which are crucial for secure communication and raising and lowering antennas.

By using a variety of materials, the Navy can produce components that meet specific requirements on land, at sea or in the air. This ensures that the navy remains flexible even in remote areas and can increase its operational efficiency.