Please select your home edition
Edition
Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px TOP

Innovative thinking for a 3D printing future

by RAI on 18 Nov 2015
Peter Sander Hartmann Kopie
The 2015 edition of the METSTRADE show was opened for business on Tuesday 17 November with the traditional Breakfast Briefing at RAI Amsterdam.

Hundreds of invited guests and media gathered to find out the winners of the DAME Design Award and to listen to keynote speaker Peter Sander, Manager Emerging Technologies and Concepts at AIRBUS Industries. His talk on how 3D printing is set to revolutionise the marine equipment industry focused on the opportunities and challenges Additive Layer Manufacturing offers for the future of design and industrial production.

There is always a buzz in the air at the Breakfast Briefing as the entire RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre gears up for the largest B2B trade exhibition of its kind in the world. This year’s METSTRADE features a record number of almost 1,400 exhibitors and will welcome well over 20,000 marine equipment professionals from some 100 countries. The focus on innovation and sustainability at the show made the work of Peter Sander and his team at Airbus a highly appropriate way to start METSTRADE 2015.

Sander is leveraging on some 35 years of experience in the aviation industry to explore the world of 3D printing or - to use its more precise title - Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM). Due to the volume of ALM parts in the new Airbus A350 aircraft, Airbus has unrivalled know-how in this technology.

Remarkable growth

Sander began his speech by showing images of his own classic yacht from the 1960s which he has restored himself and has enjoyed sailing for the past 20 years. Moving swiftly from past through present to the future, he explained how 3D printing has experienced remarkable growth over the past three years.

“3D printing is set to change a great many business models and everyone needs to speed up their research into this technology,” he said, citing examples such as the bionic bridge being built in Amsterdam by robots, gold pens in the United Kingdom and even the James Bond car in the latest movie.

“The fact that the FAA is now certifying engine parts made with 3D printing proves beyond doubt that authorities recognise ALM as a solid technology for the future. It offers weight savings of between 30 to 35%, a reduction in tooling costs of as high as 90%, much faster production times and a far greater degree of creative freedom.”

The revolution is underway

Sanders made clear that the industrial 3D printing revolution has well and truly started and you could almost hear the audience’s brains ticking over as he used illustrations from the yachting world to make the point. These included a 3D printed cleat that had been fitted on his boat which weighed only 260 grams instead of the normal 1.6 kilograms.

“Major boat building areas that can already benefit from ALM technology include hydraulics, cooling units, plastic functional parts, and large sections that are 50% less complex to create in aluminium. There is also a direct impact on the way new products are developed. Instead of having to have the entire design parameters ready before going into production, you can make a 3D version in 48 hours, see how the design works in practice and then make a new one based on those experiences.”

Innovation is key

Sander concluded his speech by looking at how to practically move forward. “The key is innovation - finding the right ideas and disruptive idea owners,” he said. “General Electric recently asked the world at large for ideas on how to design a particular part and received no less than 700 responses from 65 different countries.

The winning design came from Indonesia and resulted in a weight reduction of some 84%. This is a total game changer when it comes to sourcing innovation and making the most of the massive potential of 3D printing.”
Selden 2020 - FOOTERDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMTrofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025

Related Articles

SP80 kiteboat reaches a top speed of over 58 knots
100 km/h barrier is smashed in Leucate The SP80 kiteboat has reached a top speed of over 58 knots, or 108 km/h. This new personal best makes SP80 the second fastest sailboat ever recorded, behind Vestas Sailrocket II and its 68.01-knot top speed.
Posted today at 10:04 am
Italian SailGP Team acquired by investors
The consortium includes Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway SailGP has today announced that the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, has officially been acquired by a consortium of accomplished investors and sports industry leaders, including Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway.
Posted today at 8:53 am
Armstrong Foils: On tour - Home of Armstrong II
Join America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders on the tour of NZ's Far North Join three times America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders Olivia Jenkins, Naumi Eychenne, Bowien van der Linden, Cash Berzolla, and Reo Stevens, on the Home of Armstrong Tour II, as they explore NZ's Far North.
Posted today at 4:46 am
America's Cup entries open on Sunday
A Cup in turmoil - has Grant Dalton dodged a bullet with the new Cup organisation? America's Cup gets underway in Rome with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. Emirates Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton apprears to have dodged a bullet with the formation of of new AC organising body.
Posted on 26 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 26 May
Kai Marks Dasent completes 38.1nm fundraising sail
Raising Funds for Union Island Secondary School and Vincy Sailing On Saturday, May 24th, 14-year-old sailor Kai Marks Dasent completed an impressive solo sail from his home St. Vincent to Union Island, covering 38.1 nautical miles in 6 hours and 3 minutes, with an average speed of 6.3 knots.
Posted on 26 May
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta preview
Sørvind to debut at this edition, in Sardinia The Mediterranean superyacht racing season will kick off on 27th May with the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, organised annually by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda since 2008 and supported by title sponsor Giorgio Armani since 2022.
Posted on 26 May
J/105 NE*NE blitzes Elite Keel Regatta
Tim Russell's super hot and quick NE*NE team rolled to a fairly easy win The San Francisco YC hosted its annual springtime favorite event, the Elite Keel Regatta- for a huge fleet of twenty-six J/105s.
Posted on 25 May
Edlu Distance Race at Larchmont Yacht Club
One of the "must-do" events on western Long Island Sound Last weekend, Larchmont Yacht Club held its EDLU Distance Race, the first of the major offshore races that take place on Long Island Sound all summer long.
Posted on 25 May
Winning Sails for Every Sailor & Every Program
Beer cans or the big leagues, North Sails perform From one design sails to custom inventories, trust the experts at North Sails to elevate your performance.
Posted on 25 May