MARMC’s Innovation Lab Fulfills First Series of 3D Printed NSN Requisitions for NAVSEA

Photo By Danielle Lofton | 220912-N-HD161-6404 NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 12, 2022) 313 3D-printed Deck Drain Coamings sit on a desk before being prepared for shipping in Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center's (MARMC) Innovation Lab. These coamings will be the first 3D-printed National Stock Numbers (NSNs) with orders against them, and the first fulfillment of 3D-printed parts by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Organic Industrial Base in MARMC’s Innovation Lab. (U.S. Navy Photo by Danielle Lofton/Released)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

10.20.2022

Story by Danielle Lofton 

Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC)

Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s (MARMC) Innovation Lab has manufactured 313 3D-printed Deck Drain Coamings that will be the first 3D-printed National Stock Numbers (NSNs) with orders against them, and the first fulfillment of 3D-printed parts by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Organic Industrial Base in MARMC’s Innovation Lab.

Coamings were originally developed by Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division’s Integrated Manufacturing and Composite Materials Branch. The part was designed to be used with the composite deck drain inserts to reduce corrosion related maintenance and prevent water from splashing across the deck when the ship rolls/pitches.

Innovation Labs Navy-wide serve as the pipeline for engineering and innovation excellence for Sailors and civilians alike. Some of the cutting-edge work performed within the lab allows users to develop new designs, improve work processes and be a part of the revolutionary technology changes within the Navy.

Some of these changes allow ship maintainers and Sailors to produce tools and designs much faster and at a lower cost with the use of digital manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing (AM), more commonly referred to as 3D printing.

Normally, replacing broken parts on a ship can be an expensive and time-consuming process. However, with 3D-printing technology, this may soon be a problem of the past. The main goals for using AM are to increase readiness and sustainment and to enhance warfighting capabilities. Naval Sea Systems Command Technology Office and the Additive Manufacturing Logistics Integration Team has been working with Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) to integrate AM parts into the supply chain and ultimately improve response time for Fleet requisitions.

“The 3D printing process and materials used vary from technology to technology,” said MARMC’s Office of Research and Technology Applications representative and Innovation Lab Manager Steven Peterson. “The 3D printing machine is essentially growing the parts one layer at a time. Think Computer Numeric Control (CNC) hot glue gun. In this example, the CNC hot glue gun traces the shape of the object and then fills it in layer after layer approximating the geometry in layer steps determined by the technology and configuration used.”

NAVSEA has currently obtained 146 NSNs for 3D-printed parts, three of which encompass the parts fulfilled by MARMC.

“The real value of the Innovation Lab isn’t necessarily creating end products,” said Peterson. “The value lies in the capability to build a deck plate understanding of modeling and simulation tools that support additive and digital manufacturing processes. The lab embodies the innovative and project-based training objective, cultivating the skills necessary for Navy personnel to continue to develop and implement agility, high-velocity learning, and self-sufficiency for the betterment of our Fleet.”

MARMC’s Innovation Lab stepped up to help fulfill AM NSN requisitions from the Fleet while NAVSEA continues to develop the AM vendor approval strategy for AM part fulfillment.

MARMC, a field activity of NAVSEA, provides surface ship maintenance, management and oversight of private sector maintenance and fleet technical assistance to ships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and provides support to the fifth and sixth Fleet Areas of Responsibility. They are also responsible for the floating dry-dock Dynamic (AFDL-6).

For all questions related to 3D printing, please direct correspondence to:

Steven Peterson
[e-mail]

• Date Taken: 10.20.2022
• Date Posted: 10.20.2022 11:55
• Story ID: 431713
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US