Xerox Elemx is first 3D metal printer on US Naval vessel
The US Navy recently installed the Xerox ElemX liquid metal printer on the USS Essex, making it the first Navy ship to have a 3D metal printer on board.
At-sea trials have already begun after the ElemX was installed on the ship in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in early July. This installation follows the US Navy’s strategy of increasing fleet operational readiness.
The machine will be used to create spare parts on demand, including handles and fire hose wrenches, with the ultimate aim being to reduce the inventories ships need to carry.
“The 3D printer adds a lot of value to shipboard use and aviation,” Lt. Cdr. Nicholas Batista said.
“And when you order it now — we’re on the ship, we’re on the ocean — parts aren’t easily accessible. We now have a machine that actually fabricates this on site to increase our overall material readiness,” he said.
Rather than using powder, this 3D printer uses aluminium wire to create prints. Xerox says this makes the machine safer, eliminating the need for operators to wear protective gear.
This machine is designed to fabricate parts in a matter of minutes to hours, which could otherwise take months to obtain, Batista said. This cuts down on the ordering process, and means new parts can be ready for use much sooner.
“The military supply chain is among the most complex in the world and … sailors can now bypass that complexity and print parts when and where they need them,” Tali Rosman, the general manager of Xerox Elem Additive Solutions said.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with the Navy to help them advance their additive manufacturing capabilities and execute their long-term vision.”
The ElemX was installed within a 20-by-8-foot industrial CONEX box to help it withstand changing seas and other harsh conditions.
As this is a first for the US Navy, the Essex crew are providing feedback on their experience with the Elemx. One point of note is the size of the machine.
The ship is currently participating in RIMPAC, and as such, the cargo isn’t fully loaded.
“Therefore, it allowed us to have a lot more real estate to put this CONEX box on,” Batista said.
However, the size, weight, and lack of mobility once it is on board will be difficult to manage on deployment, he added.
As the first implementation of its kind, there’s still a bit to work out regarding the operation of this printer on functioning Naval ships.
“Now, this is a proof of concept to see if it can work,” Batista said, “Maybe in the future they can have this whole printer integrated inside of a work centre.”
The Elemx is designed to be a simpler, safer metal 3D printer. It addresses supply chain resiliency for transportation, aerospace, defence, and industrial manufacturing, and is built to bring simplicity to the supply chain process. It’s engineered for creating low-volume production parts, along with spares, and repairs.
This machine is just one example of how 3D printing technology is being used within the world, at large.