Initiative launched to develop standards for additive manufacturing

U.K.-based Lloyd’s Register Energy has launched a joint industry project (JIP) inviting companies worldwide to tackle the current and future issues faced by manufacturers supplying the energy industry; the latest JIP focuses on additive manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3-D printing, is on the rise and has the potential to affect global supply chains in a significant way. Global trends indicate that the market is set to grow by 390 percent in the next seven years, with Lloyd's Register Energy's recent "Technology Radar" survey suggesting that additive manufacturing will have a major impact in the oil and gas industry in the next five years.

But additive manufacturing is being held back from widespread adoption in safety-critical, asset-intensive industries because there is no standardized way to prove to manufacturers and regulators that printed products are safe. There are risks associated with consistency and quality control, long-term performance, data integrity, intellectual property, and in software and hardware used in high-precision manufacturing. Also, 3-D printing often cannot be used for assembly. The safe and sustainable use of powders used in the manufacturing process is a concern from an environmental and health perspective.

“The issues faced by manufacturers using additive manufacturing can be overcome through collaboration and working together,” said Claire Ruggiero, Lloyd’s Register Energy’s vice president for technical inspection services. “Pulling together key parties from material and machine suppliers, manufacturers, end users, and research organizations, we can collectively consider the risks and control measures from different perspectives, ensuring that all aspects are covered. We are confident this JIP will begin to help shape and guide best-practice standards in additive manufacturing.”