Hunt Valve, a Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) subsidiary, has secured a contract from the Maritime Sustainment Technology and Innovation Consortium (MSTIC) to manufacture a pioneering 3D printed valve assembly for U.S. Navy submarines.
Utilizing additive manufacturing, the 70-pound valve assembly, a first for U.S. submarines, promises superior quality and a reduced production timeline compared to traditional sand-casting methods.
Partnering with Lincoln Electric, Hunt Valve employs additive manufacturing to craft the valve bodies, a departure from conventional subtractive methods. By stacking layers of copper-nickel, they achieve heightened efficiency and accuracy, eliminating the challenges posed by porous sand-casted components.
Historically, additive manufacturing for submarine parts has been limited to smaller components, with applications for complex alloys like copper-nickel remaining rare. The adoption of 3D printing for valve assembly production promises to accelerate Navy fleet component manufacturing by up to 75%, enhancing production efficiency and bolstering domestic supply chain resilience.
“The utilization of additive manufacturing assembly with copper-nickel for large valve production is a real step forward for our industry,” said Andrew Pfister, vice president, aftermarket and product development at Fairbanks Morse Defense.
“Not only does it create a superior product in terms of quality, but the process can significantly reduce lead-in times.
Embracing innovative technologies like additive manufacturing not only expedites production but also strengthens national security by reducing reliance on overseas suppliers.
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