The use of 3D printing technologies in the nautical industry is becoming increasingly important. The collaboration between the Spanish company V2 Group, which specializes in design, engineering and large-format 3D printing for nautical applications, and Caracol AM, an Italian provider of additive manufacturing technologies, has resulted in the development of a six-metre monolithic catamaran for open water operations. It was manufactured using robotic 3D printing, creating a scalable and industrially producible model.
The advantages of large-format 3D printing in boat building lie in the high adaptability of the designs, the efficient use of materials and the reduction of production waste. The development of the catamaran shows how advanced additive manufacturing processes not only shorten production times, but also use resources more efficiently and enable the production of high-quality floating structures.
The focus of this project was on the comprehensive analysis of all manufacturing steps with a view to possible industrialization. This included the selection of suitable materials, the optimization of printing time as well as assembly and testing procedures. This systematic approach made it possible to identify key elements for scaling up production.
The successful production of this catamaran underlines the potential of large-format 3D printing in the maritime industry. V2 Group and Caracol AM see this technology as an opportunity to make manufacturing processes more sustainable, economical and flexible. In the long term, the approach could be further developed to manufacture other boat types and maritime components in order to establish new production standards. With a clear focus on scalability and industrial applicability, 3D printing could establish itself as a key technology in modern shipbuilding.
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