A critical aspect of maritime safety, aids to navigation, including lighthouses and buoys, come with hefty maintenance costs. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has found a cost-effective solution through additive manufacturing. Partnering with the USCG’s Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber and Intelligence Service Center, the use of 3D printing has revolutionized the repair and replacement of aids to navigation equipment.
By utilizing AM, the USCG can recreate parts that are no longer commercially available, salvaging degraded or damaged equipment and returning it to serviceable condition. An exemplary case is the restoration of the VRB-25 optical system, crucial for lighthouses along the U.S. coastline. Despite initial efforts to replace VRB-25s with LED systems for improved efficiency, the traditional appearance and functionality of VRB-25s remained unmatched. Leveraging 3D printing, obsolete components were recreated to exact specifications, enabling the production of 18 VRB-25s for reinstallation.
The benefits of 3D printing extend beyond navigation equipment repair. In instances like the Command Cyber Readiness Inspection, where simple emergency shut-off switch covers were missing, 3D printing offered a swift solution, saving time and procurement costs. Over the last two fiscal years, AM has saved over $650K in acquisition costs and reintegrated 164 repaired pieces of equipment into inventory.
To further capitalize on this technology, the AM Working Group plans comprehensive industry training and collaboration with the Navy. With approximately twenty to thirty parts under consideration for 3D printing, ranging from obsolete components to safety covers, the USCG aims to enhance its understanding of AM capabilities and optimize its application in maritime operations.
Source: mycg.uscg.mil
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