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3D printing technologies are already having a profound impact on a range of manufacturing industries, including construction, medical, aerospace and automotive. Now, a well-known company is poised to take additive technology to sea: German yacht and motor boat manufacturer HanseYachts AG is integrating additive technology into ship design and manufacturing.
HanseYachts AG, one of the largest manufacturers of offshore sailing yachts in the world since 1990, has decided to use 3D printing to produce the 10m hull of its newest yacht, the Hanse 3D15. The development of a 3D printed version of the yacht has been going on for the third year, and the first result is a special 20-meter 3D printer, with which the company intends to print the hull of the ship.
Development work is carried out in cooperation with the engineers of VBS-Print. A polymer composite with wood filler will be used for production. The share of processed wood fibers will be about 60%.
Karl Dehler, Chief Engineer, Advanced Development, HanseYachts AG explains: “The Hanse 3D15 will be a wooden vessel. With the new hull construction technology, we hope to not only create stronger ships, but also significantly reduce production times to meet high demand in a timely manner. Thanks to 3D printing, we will be able to meet the individual requirements of customers, whatever they may be. "
The current project will undoubtedly be an important step for HanseYachts AG, but more importantly, the introduction of additive technologies could have a revolutionary effect on shipbuilding as a whole. It goes without saying that experienced professionals may be suspicious of an idea because of established traditions. Hanse Yachts AG CEO Jens Gerhardt explains: "When our industry partners claim that 3D printing cannot be successful, I remind them of the introduction of fiberglass in the 60s, which was then considered an equally controversial material for building boats."
HanseYachts AG, one of the first companies to adopt fiberglass as one of the main shipbuilding materials, has a reputation as a pioneering manufacturer that is not afraid to look to the future. Now the company is proving its commitment to innovative methods again with the Hanse 3D15 project. “We regard openness to innovation as the main competitive advantage of our shipyard, and we are pleased to take a new step in the development of the international shipbuilding industry,” said Jens Gerhardt.
