New Agreement Uses Manufacturing Data to Support Component Qualification
ABS and Radian Forge have entered into a joint development project (JDP) aimed at assessing the role of digital manufacturing data in qualifying metal parts made through wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM).
As the maritime sector investigates additive manufacturing to tackle issues with component availability and long production times, building trust in the reliability and performance of these parts is vital. The JDP will look into whether data from manufacturing processes, real-time sensors, inspection records, and material tests can be used to effectively verify and validate components made with WAAM.
“Digital qualification is key to encouraging the use of additive manufacturing in the marine and offshore industries. We are excited to collaborate with Radian Forge to enhance trust in additive manufacturing by improving the generation, evaluation, and tracking of qualification evidence,” said Michael Kei, Vice President of Technology at ABS.
According to the agreement, Radian Forge will produce components for testing and validation, gather manufacturing and sensor data, and perform relevant tests. ABS will conduct an independent technical review, analyze test outcomes, and evaluate the proposed methods and their potential uses.
“Conventional manufacturing timelines can create major difficulties when crucial components are required. Our aim is to instill confidence in a manufacturing process that can meet those demands. Working with ABS allows us to thoroughly assess how process data and material performance can achieve this goal,” stated Jeff Yeager, CEO of Radian Forge.
ABS promotes the use of additive manufacturing in the maritime industry by providing technical guidelines, including the ABS Requirements for Additive Manufacturing. You can download a copy here. Discover more about how ABS supports additive manufacturing here.