Lloyd’s Register launches global certification framework in additive manufacturing

Lloyd’s Register, London, has released goal-based additive manufacturing (AM) guidance notes in an effort to help give operators and manufacturers in the energy and marine industries confidence in metallic equipment and components produced using AM.

Chris Chung, head of strategic research at Lloyd’s Register Energy, said, “As the Lloyd’s Register Energy Technology Radar survey suggests, AM will have a major impact in the oil and gas industry in the next five years. That is why last year, together with TWI and a number of industry partners, we brought together research and development efforts with real-world AM practices.

“Our new certification guidelines … are already being used by companies in this joint industry project to gain early certification of AM components.”

This certification framework for AM metallic components provides a step-by-step approach to provide the necessary level of confidence and acts as a stabilizing force for quality and safety. By enabling widespread adoption of the technology, the guidelines will support the long-term sustainability of the energy and marine industries, says Lloyd’s.

Roger Fairclough, principal project leader at TWI, said, “To enable full industrial take-up of the technology, it is essential that the certification and validation procedures used for conventional manufacturing processes are extended and, if necessary, modified to suit additive manufacturing. This joint industry project between Lloyd’s Register and TWI will bridge this gap for the project participants and enable them to bring AM parts quickly and safely into the industrial marketplace.”