Marines use 3D printing onboard ship to save thousands of dollars

Sgt. Jack Hubbard watches a 3D printer build a part used aboard the USS New Orleans. Lance Cpl. Joshua Brittenham

An article posted to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website describes how Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 31 use 3D printing to save thousands of dollars and weeks of time for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and America Amphibious Ready Group.

According to the author, the Marines of CLB-31 utilize 3D printing to assist with mission readiness and to realize cost efficiencies.

“The benefits of using a 3D printer are endless,” Staff Sgt. Jack L. Hubbard III is quoted as saying in the article. As an example, the communications electronics maintenance chief said, “We were asked by our Navy counterparts to print a knob used to charge forklift batteries. The cost of the entire unit is $45,000, but it only cost us $3 to print the knob ourselves.”

After printing the knobs, the CLB 3D-printed handles for additional protection when transporting the batteries.