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By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson Branch, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East, Detachment Southeast
September 22, 2020
NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – A virtual Navy Additive Manufacturing Parts Identification Exercise (NAM-PIE) was held at Southeast Regional Maintenance Center (SERMC), Aug. 3-7, 2020.
Mayport-based Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Carney (DDG 64), the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Detroit (LCS 7), SERMC, Commander Naval Surface Squadron (CNSS) 14, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), several warfare centers, SurgeMain, and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (OPNAV N4) were among the commands to participate in the 3D-printing exercise. Pre-work for the event on several other 3D printed parts also included input from the Cyclone-class patrol ships USS SHAMAL (PC 13) and USS TORNADO (PC 14).
Lt. Carlos Piñero, NAM-PIE coordinator and engineering duty officer, said the objectives of the event were to collect dimensions from parts identified from previous events, reverse engineer and 3D-model parts identified from previous events, print 3D models and perform form and fit checks on U.S. Navy ships, and generate technical data packages and route them for NAVSEA approval .
“3D printers can create complex and customizable part geometries,” said Piñero. “It also means low-cost production for small part quantities and alternate means of procuring parts.”
Piñero further explained that 3D printing also aides in supply chain simplification, lead-time reduction, and rapid prototyping for verification and validation of parts.
Lt. Cmdr. Jake Lunday, engineering duty officer at OPNAV N4 and additive manufacturing analyst, explained how the team overcame challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created while attempting to fulfill their mission.
“This was a partnership involving various ships, SERMC, CNSS-14 staff, SurgeMain, NAVSEA 05T, various warfare centers, and OPNAV N4 personnel,” said Lunday. “This was the first event we have conducted [virtually] using the current restrictions caused by COVID-19 so there were definitely some differences when compared to previous events.”
Lunday said that even though COVID-19 created hurdles, the event was still a success.
“Even with these challenges the team delivered great results,” said Lunday. “Working with SERMC and ships' forces, we were able to test print and form, fit and check 20 shipboard parts.”
“Additionally, we were able to verify the required information for 23 shipboard parts and tools, many 3D-modeled during previous NAM-PIEs, and route them for NAVSEA approval. This enabled the parts to be reviewed, approved and entered into the ‘digital warehouse’ of parts and tools available for download by ships’ forces.”
“We are continuing to build up the ‘digital warehouse’ of parts available to ships' forces for download with the number of approved downloadable parts growing each month. Additionally, metal 3D printing is becoming more common and I expect to see efforts in this area grow as the technology continues to mature,” said Lunday.
Lunday said there are additional 3D printing NAM-PIE events scheduled in FY-21.
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2020 10:58 |
| Story ID: | 378361 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 151 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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