Huisman delivers the world's first 3D printed offshore crane hook

Huisman Group (Huisman) successfully delivered the world's first certified 3D printing crane hook in March this year. In the case of a load test that exceeded twice the safe working load, it passed the marine classification certification of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

The first vessel to install a 3D printed hook is the "OOS Serooskerke", and its sister ship "OOS Walcheren" will also be equipped with a 36-ton safety load 3D printing hook. Both hooks are produced at Huisman's Czech plant.

This hook uses the "Linear Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)" 3D printing technology, a unique WAAM technology that can be used to produce medium to large parts with high grades of stretch steel, including a self-printing weight close to 1000. A large four-jaw hook for kilograms. It is understood that this printing method is increasingly used in the maritime industry. One of the biggest benefits of 3D printing for large hooks is reduced lead times, cost-effectiveness and higher quality levels for forgings and castings. WAAM can be used not only for the manufacture of crane hooks, but also for the manufacture of other complex shaped components.

According to Huisman, this product delivery is an important step in the recognition of 3D printing technology products by the marine and offshore industries.

The Huisman R&D team studied the quality of 3D printed materials, including strength and fatigue, and tested them for possible anisotropy (different material properties in different dimensional directions). Last year, Huisman successfully carried out an 80-ton load test and all related quality control tests on the world's first 3D printed offshore crane hook.

WAAM technology can be applied not only to the manufacture of crane hooks, but Huisman can also be used to make other components with complex shapes or short delivery times, partial materials, and continuously improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of printed parts.

This successful test means that Huisman can now use WAAM to make reliable parts. In the near future, Huisman also plans to further improve the WAAM process by reducing the cost of technology, reducing the cost price and increasing the manufacturing capacity to 2,500 kg of objects.