Less then three months after acquiring its first large-format metal 3D printer from Nikon SLM Solutions, HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has placed an order for a second.
The pair of NXG 600E 12-laser powder bed fusion systems are being deployed for large, complex components and the replacement of legacy castings for critical naval applications across U.S. Navy shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB). HII's NNS is the first U.S. shipyard with this capability.
Nikon SLM Solutions is said to be supporting NNS with parameter development and process maturation for L-PBF production of NiAlBr components, expanding material capability for 3D printing within U.S. Navy supply chains and long-term maritime readiness.
Laura Griffiths
“This second NXG 600E order reflects HII’s leadership and long-term commitment to advancing the maritime industrial base through additive manufacturing,” said Hamid Zarringhalam, CEO of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing and Chairman of the Board, Nikon SLM Solutions. “Expanding critical materials capabilities such as Nickel Aluminum Bronze is a foundational part of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing’s holistic approach, combining scalable platforms, material and process development, and U.S.-based production and support. Together with HII, we are enabling additive manufacturing to move from isolated applications to a repeatable, industrial capability that supports U.S. Navy shipbuilding at scale.”
In a recent conversation with TCT, Zarringhalam spoke about the essential role for additive manufacturing in the defence supply chain. "For sustainment of military, there is no alternative," Zarringhalam said. "You're going to have to qualify additive because there's just no way for the conventional supply chain to keep up with the demand."
Laura Griffiths
