3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / 3D Printing Metal / RAMLAB – First Fieldlab With 3D Metal Printers – Game Changer for Shipping Industry
qidi

RAMLAB – First Fieldlab With 3D Metal Printers – Game Changer for Shipping Industry

December 5, 2016

Within three years the first ships with 3D printed propellers will leave the port of Rotterdam

Last week, Port CEO Allard Castelein officially opened RAMLAB (Rotterdam Additive Manufacturing LAB). This is the first fieldlab with metal printers that focusses mainly on metal printing in the shipping industry. RAMLAB will use metal 3D printers for knowledge development, 3D modeling and certifications.

Related Story
Metal 3D Printing: An Overview of the Most Common Types

The purpose of RAMLAB is to activate 3D printing in commercial activities. They will be working together with industry partners towards a future where the WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) technology can be commercially deployable. “3D printing is promising but there are few companies that actually have the resources and knowledge in house to get them started with this technology.” Says Allard Castelein.

RAMLAB 3D METAL PRINTING 3DPRINTING.com
Opening RAMLAB, image credit: Port of Rotterdam

Right now there are two WAAM-systems in the RAMLAB. One setup of four by three meters has a manipulator that is for instance able to 3D print ship propellers. The other robot is able to ride over a rails of 6 meters long to e.g. weld lifting hooks. This system allows for metal prints larger than 1m3 in size.

3D Metal Printer

The printing will be done by a robot arm. This is a robot arm that puts layer on layer much similar to a welding process. “The goal is to print a propeller of 1 by 1.5 meter (39.4 inch by 59 inch), which is the biggest I have ever 3D printed” says Wei Ya, the robot operator. Wei Ya is one of the few specialists worldwide who can actually operate the machine.

RAMLAB already has an impressive list of partners (Valk Welding, Autodesk, IBM, Air Liquide, Lincoln Electric, TU Twente, M2I, Lemtech and Lloyds Register) and members (Huisman Equipment, Heerema Fabrication, Royal IHC, Royal Navy, Royal Roos, Promarin, Bolier, MX3D and Fokker).

Especially in the shipping industry, where spare parts are always a problem (never the right stock, new casting costs months..) is 3D metal printing a solution. With 3D metal printing, a spare part can be delivered within days. It will take some time before the RAMLAB can take on orders, right now is the development and research phase. But in 2018 the “factory” is expected to make reliable large scale metal printed objects for the shipping industry.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Robert Dehue
Co-Founder 3DPrinting.com
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures

HeyGears demonstrated its Multi-Material Fusion resin 3D printed dentures at LMT LAB DAY Chicago 2025. The technology uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) photopolymerization... read more »

Dental
HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures at Chicago Lab Event

3D Printed Modular Column “Duality of Skin and Core” Featured at Venice Biennale 2025

A 3D printed modular column titled "Duality of Skin and Core" is currently on display at the Venice Biennale 2025 as part of... read more »

Art
3D Printed Modular Column "Duality of Skin and Core" Featured at Venice Biennale 2025

Bentley Unveils EXP 15 Design Concept Featuring 3D Printed Titanium Finishes

Bentley Motors has revealed its EXP 15 concept vehicle at the opening of its new design studio in Crewe. The five-meter concept model... read more »

Automotive
Bentley Unveils EXP 15 Design Concept Featuring 3D Printed Titanium Finishes

COBOD Launches Multifunctional Construction Robot with Shotcrete 3D Printing Capabilities

COBOD International has introduced what it describes as the first commercially available multifunctional construction robot, developed in collaboration with Technische Universität Braunschweig. The... read more »

Construction
COBOD Launches Multifunctional Construction Robot with Shotcrete 3D Printing Capabilities

MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Device for Emergency Diabetes Treatment

MIT researchers have developed an implantable device that can automatically release glucagon when blood sugar levels drop dangerously low in Type 1 diabetes... read more »

Medical
MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Device for Emergency Diabetes Treatment

University of Pennsylvania Researchers Develop Carbon-Capturing Concrete

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created a new type of concrete that captures carbon dioxide while maintaining structural integrity. The material... read more »

Construction

Dutch 3D Printing Startup Novenda Technologies Raises $6.1M for Dental Manufacturing Platform

Dutch startup Novenda Technologies has secured $6.1 million in Series A funding to advance its multi-material 3D printing platform for dental products. The... read more »

Dental

Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Singapore-based startup Unigons has launched a limited collection of 3D-printed Merlion figurines made from recycled plastic bottles. The company produced 60 pieces of... read more »

News
Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing