French companies jointly develop 3D printed hollow propeller blades As part of the European H2020 project RAMSSES

French companies jointly develop 3D printed hollow propeller blades
As part of the European H2020 project RAMSSES, the French defense contractor Naval Group (formerly DCNS) and the Centrale Nantes in France have printed the first hollow propeller blade through Additive Manufacturing (AM). Real.

According to Naval Group, the cooperative project funded by the European Commission aims to reduce the environmental impact of ships.

Nantes Central Institute of Technology and Naval Group took the lead in this project to lead the production of innovative propellers that improve the ship's operational capabilities.

In order to improve the propulsion efficiency of the ship, Nantes Central Institute of Technology and Naval Group are using additive manufacturing to design large parts (6 m diameter propellers) that cannot be produced using conventional manufacturing techniques. The use of additive manufacturing wire welding arc (WAAM) processes will help print large parts and lay the foundation for the production of more complex geometry propellers.

The one-third hollow propeller blade, representing a container ship propeller weighing approximately 399 kg, was printed in less than 100 hours using stainless steel. Compared to traditional craftsmanship, the team's technical power means that the use of additive manufacturing spoke blades can increase weight by more than 40%.

The subsidiary of Nantes Central Institute of Technology and the Naval Group subsidiary Sirehna are developing propeller blades to improve propeller energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. In terms of efficiency and durability, the work of the Sirehna team not only optimizes the propeller blades, but also significantly reduces radiated noise and vibration.

The H2020 RAMSSES project case study shows that reducing the environmental footprint associated with propulsion is a challenge for all types of vessels, especially large container ships.