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British Labor launches global 3D printing rescue boat design competition
Lloyd's Register of Shipping (LR) recently teamed up with Singapore's National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center (NAMIC), the world's leading design software and digital content creation company Autodesk, Singapore ST Electronics and Australia's large metal 3D printing company AML3D. In the design competition for the global full-size 3D printing rescue boat, the first prize winner will receive a S$30,000 (£17,500) prize, which will be the world's first full-size lifeboat using 3D printing technology. Their design Further improvement and fabrication will be considered using arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) or continuous composite manufacturing techniques.
The competition, initiated by the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center (NAMIC) in Singapore, is the first part of a three-phase project to build a 3D printed rescue boat hull with autonomous sensors, by Lloyd's Foundation. Register Foundation, LRF), ST Electronics, Autodesk and AML3D have teamed up and received support from the National Research Foundation of Singapore (NRF) and the Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA).
The winning design will be part of a research project with Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which will embed sensors and integrate the autonomous navigation system provided by Shinco Electronics. Australia's large metal 3D printing company AML3D is the first company to qualify for the LR Additive Manufacturing facility and will be responsible for the production of the vessel after the incubation and design evaluation phase, which is expected to last for about a year.
The rules state that the person submitting the design must comply with the Lifeline Equipment (LSA) Code, the Marine Life Safety (SOLAS) Code and the Singapore flag State requirements. In addition, the length of the rescue boat shall not be less than 3.8m, the length shall not exceed 8.5m, and it must be capable of accommodating 5 persons. It must have 4 hours of continuous operation and a minimum speed of 8 knots (14.8 km/h).
It is understood that the first prize winner will receive a bonus of 30,000 Singapore dollars, the second prize and the third prize winner will receive a bonus of 20,000 Singapore dollars and 10,000 Singapore dollars. The bonus portion is sponsored by the Lloyd's Register of Shipping Foundation. The deadline for submission of designs is March 31, 2020.
Compared to traditional manufacturing, large-scale 3D printing allows for complete design freedom and the ability to develop complex hull structures with better performance, while also the ability to embed advanced control systems and sensors, breaking the limits of traditional shipbuilding.
Prior to this, the Lloyd's Register of Shipping Foundation had funded a project to successfully print a digital steel pedestrian bridge in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
In collaboration with The Welding Institute-TW, the organization's reputation as a leader in 3D printing is growing worldwide as the first organization to issue guidance on how to certify laser-printed metal parts.
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