Lloyd's Register AM part oil and gas
From left to right, Safer Plug’s gateway manifold is show in three states of manufacture: Transparent stereolithographic prototype, additively manufactured in titanium but not machined, and the final machined titanium part.
Global engineering firm, Lloyds Register (LR) has announced it has certified an additively manufactured part for the oil and gas industry for the first time.
The titanium gateway manifold for pipelines was designed by Safer Plug Company (SPC) and 3D printed by 3T RPD.
LR oversaw the entire project after being approached by SPC last year. Since the part was to be designed and manufactured with additive manufacturing technology, it required a stringent certification process to ensure it was safe to use functionally. The manifold is to be included in an assembly for a suite of pipeline isolation tools, which will also include what is thought to be the world’s smallest tool suitable for six-inch diameter pipework. The project also involved The Welding Institute, who helped to establish LR’s certification framework. Per the two companies, the framework takes into account more than just material standards, focusing on the manufacturing facility too.
The part would have been virtually impossible to manufacture with traditional methods, such were its complex internal channels. With the minds and technology available to LR, SPC and 3T RPD, it is believed the certification of the gateway manifold is an industry breakthrough for the oil and gas market.
“In taking on this initiative, LR’s Additive Manufacturing group has truly opened a gateway to the future,” said Ciaran Early, SPC Technical Director. “LR’s pivotal role is to guide suppliers through the codes, standards, controls and best practices to manufacture AM parts, in order that end users will have full confidence that an AM part meets the required level of criticality for that part.”
“3T RPD are delighted that certification has been issued,” added Luke Rogers, New Product Introduction Project Manager for 3T RPD. “We regularly work with clients in the aerospace, medical and motorsports industries to produce metal parts. Hopefully SPC will set the example and demonstrate how the oil and gas industry can realise the benefits of AM.”
Next, LR will certify a batch of ten manifolds produced by SPC and 3T RPD – SPC is working in cohesion with LR on a Type Approval certificate which would enable 3T RPD to manufacture these manifolds, as well as pipeline isolation tools, on demand.
TCT Deputy Group Editor, Laura Griffiths takes a closer look at Lloyd’s Register’s certification of the titanium gateway manifold in the upcoming TCT Magazine Europe volume 25.5, which will be available later this month.
