Arctic Submarine to Include 3D Printed Parts

International Submarine Engineering (ISE) is using Sciaky’s Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM) technology to produce a titanium Variable Ballast (VB) tank, reducing both time and cost from the process.

ISE had previously used an overseas titanium forging facility. When that company closed, they turned to Sciaky (a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries), in part because the company printed titanium propellant tanks for Lockheed Martin Space Systems.

Using EBAM reduced production time from 16 weeks to 8 weeks, and reduced costs compared to retooling with a new forging supplier.

The VB tank is part of ISE’s Arctic Explorer Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). ISE previously built two Arctic Explorers for Natural Resources Canada/Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to map the sea floor underneath the Arctic ice shelf.

The titanium variable ballast tank printed using Sciaky’s EBAM technology. Image: Sciaky

The AUV can be launched from a ship or through an ice-hole. The VB system helps the vehicle hold itself on the sea floor or under ice. The new printed VB tank will be installed a new Arctic Explorer for the University of Tasmania.

“Sciaky is proud to help ISE cut production time by 50 percent and reduce costs by 3D printing their titanium VB tank with our one-of-a-kind EBAM process,” said Bob Phillips, vice president of Marketing for Sciaky, Inc. “Our industry-leading EBAM technology is the world’s only industrial-scale metal 3D printing solution with approved parts for land, sea, air, and space applications.”

ISE plans to 3D print other titanium arts using EBAM.

Source: Sciaky