Use of Additive Technologies for the Accelerated Production of Spare Parts for Marine Hatches

This paper discusses the use of additive technologies in the fast production of spare parts for watertight ship hatches. The main goals are to conduct a multi-perspective review on regulatory, technological, and economic appropriateness of using additive manufacturing in making hatch locking hardware and seals; to validate materials and process options by requirements of Classification Societies; and finally, to formulate practical recommendations regarding steps toward actual integration of the distributed fleet printing stations into ship repair and also planned preventive maintenance of fleets. There have been such losses that it raised the level of consciousness for change from unplanned downtimes, plus global fleet aging against traditional supply chains being inadequate and not responding with ship operability restoration in a short time. That which is novel herein comprises empirically synthesizing the latest versions of Guidance Notes and certification programs from Lloyd?s Register and DNV, together with precedential examples, industrial accreditation, plus deployment, and showing polymer and metal AM solutions for critical marine assemblies. Requirements specifically related to PQ/MQ and the Build Report are compared systematically with test results on the most up-to-the-minute materials. Technological impacts are quantitatively estimated out of this process while simultaneously demonstrating digital operating models whereby a catalog of protected CAD files replaces the physical warehouse and production moves to the place needing repair. The paper finds that printed plastic and metal components can meet the performance standards of cast and forged parts when produced under strict process and raw-material control, validated by appropriate non-destructive testing and post-processing. This paper will be useful for engineering assistance alongside and aboard at the shipyard, operators of a fleet, manufacturers of additive equipment and material, representatives from a Classification Society who are actively involved in developing qualification practices, and regulators, while trying to implement distributed AM services.