Member Article

Protolabs expands manufacturing support for the energy sector with first-to-market DNV oil and gas certification

Protolabs has become one of the first metal additive manufacturers in Europe to secure DNV ‘Qualification of Manufacturer’ certification to supply its metal additive manufacturing services to the oil and gas and energy sectors.

The company, which has its European HQ in Telford, also became the first certified manufacturer using powder bed fusion technology in their additive process – ideal for high resolution and geometrical accuracy.

Daniel Cohn, General Manager and 3DP Lead for Protolabs EMEA, said: “Trust is an important necessity for oil & gas and energy, and we can now give assurances that our work has been conducted under the keen eye of DNV - the independent expert in risk management and assurance for the sector.

“Audits of our manufacturing facilities and processes prove that we comply with the general demands of the sector meaning we now plan to move to deliver even greater support to the market.”

The certification applies to Protolabs’ direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technology, specifically for the superalloy Inconel 718 - a high-strength, corrosion-resistant nickel chromium. Combining the exceptional properties of the material with its expertise in DMLS means the company can rapidly produce complex geometries for parts that are often exposed to harsh environments.

Cohn continued: “The DNV certification applies to our Inconel 718 capability, but we see it as testament to our ongoing quality processes and expect to see that trust extended to our whole offering.

“I believe the sector will turn to additive technologies to replace what was formerly cast, whilst also looking into design possibilities to increase efficiency and create more robust designs for parts including pumps, valves and components for turbines. Importantly, the certification assures customers that they can use the additive manufacturing route to unlock decarbonisation benefits.

“Additive manufacturing can grow even faster if there is trust in the technology, materials, processes and in the manufacturing companies who deliver the services.”

As part of its drive to offer 3D printed parts even faster through a growing portfolio of materials and services, Protolabs is building a new 5000 square metre production facility in Putzbrunn in Germany that will give customers access to the firm’s automated manufacturing processes and quality systems.

The 13.5m euro investment will increase its 3D printing capability by 50% to meet growing demand for this technology.

For further information, please visit www.protolabs.co.uk or follow @protolabs_emea on twitter.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .