Marine 3D Printing
At Elimold, we are at the forefront of innovation in the demanding world of offshore engineering. Our state-of-the-art 3D printing technology is setting new standards in vessel performance, providing unparalleled advantages for marine projects. It helps marine designers and engineers to prototype, manufacture tools and produce parts.
Marine 3D Printing Manufacturer
Elimold’s marine 3D printing services are changing the way custom marine parts are produced, with the ability to manufacture complex designs such as propellers, impellers and turbine blades, achieving superior performance not possible with traditional manufacturing methods. Our marine 3D printing technology uses lightweight, waterproof thermoplastics, composites and metals to quickly and cost-effectively manufacture complex components. Elimold can also provide efficient and economical repair part solutions for damaged parts at sea, helping to minimize vessel and equipment downtime. In addition, our marine parts custom manufacturing services are able to meet the unique needs of marine researchers, producing custom sensor housings that can withstand high-pressure seabed conditions and supporting the development of prototypes for cutting-edge research tools used to explore marine life and underwater ecosystems.
3D Printing Solutions for the Marine Industry
Our advanced marine 3D printing solutions provide a significant competitive advantage. Elimold can custom manufacture high-precision custom components for flid dynamics and durability, and can also produce precise and resilient custom components that can survive the most extreme marine environments.
Rapid Prototyping
Jigs & Fixtures
Production End-use Parts
Ship Parts Rapid Prototyping Service
Ship designers and engineers can streamline the iterative design process through rapid prototyping with Elimold’s marine 3D printing services, enabling ship designers and engineers to precisely tailor components to specific requirements or unique ship configurations. Digital concepts can be quickly transformed into physical prototypes, enabling multiple iterations to be created and tested in a short period of time. Real-time feedback on performance, buoyancy, corrosion resistance, and structural integrity informs designers’ decisions, helping to adjust and improve digital designs in real time. In addition, Elimold’s rapid prototyping services can improve communication and collaboration between different teams or stakeholders involved in the product development process. By providing a physical representation of the design, it helps clarify design concepts and facilitates discussions around functionality, aesthetics, and other design considerations. This cost-effective optimization process significantly reduces the risk of design flaws and accelerates time to market for marine components and ships.
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Services for Marine
Elimold offers best-in-class manufacturing capabilities, ideal for rapid prototyping and custom production orders. With our own facilities and extensive manufacturing network, we are able to efficiently deliver complex, high-quality parts.
Metal 3D Printing
Stereolithography (SLA)
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
PolyJet
Carbon DLS
Direct Metal Laser Sintering
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Metal Binder Jetting
Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
ColorJet
On-site production of large ship components within hours
Elimold’s marine 3D printing services can enable marine designers and engineers to be more flexible, environmentally friendly and responsive to custom manufacturing needs. Rapid prototyping and production of components eliminates the need for long shipping times, thus reducing lead times. Have questions or need support? Contact our team! Elimold’s experts are standing by and happy to help you realize the full potential of your additive manufacturing solutions.
Our 3D Printing Process for Ships
Elimold’s instant quoting platform can strengthen your supply chain and custom parts to your needs. Whether you need marine parts for prototyping, R&D, validation, or full production. Leverage our advanced custom manufacturing services and virtually unlimited capacity to accelerate your timelines and consistently meet innovation deadlines. Print end-use parts and prototypes directly from CAD files in just 1-4 business days. The time efficiencies we offer allow customers to conduct additional rounds of testing to improve designs and reduce risk before investing in tooling. Our broad material selection gives marine designers and engineers the flexibility to try everything from soft rubbers to flame-retardant plastics and metals.
Design and manufacture ship parts easily
Elimold’s marine 3D printing services provide marine designers with unparalleled design freedom to create complex geometries, lightweight structures, and components tailored to specific needs. For example, manufacturers can use 3D printing to create lightweight yet strong lattice structures or honeycomb patterns, or incorporate internal channels for cooling or fluid flow. Design flexibility also enables manufacturers to create components with complex internal structures or features, such as those with integrated cavities, channels, or other features that are difficult or impossible to create using traditional manufacturing methods. With Elimold’s 3D printing services, designers can push the boundaries of traditional marine components and ship design, driving innovation, efficiency, and customization while addressing the industry’s unique challenges and requirements.
Print end-use parts directly without tooling
Elimold’s marine 3D printing services can be used to manufacture a variety of maritime end-use parts, such as dashboards and radar masts for yachts. These parts can be printed in a matter of hours, allowing ships, yachts and boats to head out to sea where they belong without the need for repairs. Additionally, by printing these parts directly in one piece through our 3D printing services, they can be easily sealed to be waterproof while still having an ergonomically contoured design. Additionally, Elimold’s marine 3D printing systems can manufacture marine parts in huge sizes, so the number of components required for the final build by ship manufacturers is greatly reduced, thereby increasing fault tolerance. This capability is particularly important for the marine industry, as certain components must be 100% sealed and waterproof. Elimold’s additive manufacturing technology can also be used to print groundbreaking marine prototype models at extremely fast speeds.
On-demand production of 3D printed marine parts
Marine industry designers and engineers can use Elimold’s on-demand 3D printing manufacturing service for marine parts to produce parts or products precisely when they are needed without maintaining large inventories and long and complex supply chains. This shift can reduce warehousing costs, reduce the risk of overproduction and waste, and enable rapid response to changes in demand or design modifications. Elimold’s on-demand production service for marine parts can reduce waste and environmental impact because it only produces necessary parts instead of overproducing and potentially discarding excess parts. Environmental issues are often a major consideration in the marine industry. Therefore, our on-demand production service provides a variety of advantages to ship manufacturers, including cost savings, increased flexibility and responsiveness, and reduced waste and environmental impact. Become a powerful tool to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the shipbuilding process.
Advanced 3D Printing Materials
Designers and engineers in the marine industry benefit from Elimold’s range of advanced 3D printing materials tailored for the harsh marine environment. These materials include high-performance plastics such as ASA, as well as stainless steel and titanium that are resistant to saltwater and UV exposure. Nylons and polyamides offer excellent toughness and chemical resistance, while stainless steel offers corrosion resistance. Aluminum alloys combine lightness and strength, carbon fiber reinforced composites offer a high strength-to-weight ratio, and materials such as PEEK and ULTEM offer resistance to chemicals and extreme temperatures. These material options allow designers to optimize components for specific marine challenges, ensuring durability and performance.
Material Options
Plastic Materials
- PLA
- ABS
- PETG
- Nylon
- ASA
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- TPU
Metal Materials
- Stainless Steel
- Titanium
- Aluminum
- Inconel
- Bronze
- Copper
- Tool Steel
Issues to consider when choosing materials for 3D printing ship parts
When selecting materials for marine applications, certain key characteristics play a vital role in ensuring optimal performance and longevity. The selection process is guided by the following considerations:
- Lightweight properties: The selected materials must have low density to ensure buoyancy, a key factor in ensuring that the vessel remains afloat.
- UV stability: Selecting materials that are UV stabilized and modified ensures resistance to the degrading effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a prevalent factor in the marine environment.
- Waterproofness: Prioritizing waterproof and modified materials is essential to enhance resistance to water absorption, which is essential to maintaining structural integrity during long-term exposure to marine conditions.
- Stress resistance: The selected materials should have high stress resistance, which is a prerequisite for withstanding the dynamic and often harsh conditions in the marine environment.
- Low shrinkage/swelling: Minimizing shrinkage and swelling, especially for larger structures, is essential to ensure dimensional stability and structural reliability.
- Antibacterial, antifouling, anti-algae properties: Selecting materials with antibacterial properties, antifouling properties, and resistance to algae growth are beneficial to keeping marine structures clean and efficient.
- Fire resistance: Materials with inherent or improved fire resistance are beneficial, providing an additional layer of safety in the event of fire-related risks.
- Customizable colors: The self-coloring ability of the material adds versatility, allowing for customization based on aesthetic preferences or functional requirements.
Surface finishing options
Metal Part Surface Finishes
- As-Printed
- Polished
- Bead Blasted
- Electroplated
- Anodized
- Powder Coated
- Sanded
- Tumbling
- Passivated
- Shot Peened
Plastic Part Surface Finishes
- As-Printed
- Polished
- Smoothened
- Sanded
- Vapor Smoothing
- Painted
- Coated
- Textured
- Electroplated
- Glazed
Advantages of 3D Printing in Ship Parts Manufacturing
One of the most significant advantages of using 3D printing to manufacture ships is that it is free from design constraints. Traditional shipbuilding methods often rely on complex and expensive molds and tools, which require high upfront costs. With 3D printing, complex and custom ship designs can be achieved without these upfront expenses, allowing ship architects to explore new possibilities and push the boundaries of aesthetics and functionality.
The 3D printing process minimizes waste generation, enables the use of environmentally friendly recycled materials and reduces overall energy consumption, fully in line with global environmental goals. Therefore, in an era when sustainability is a top priority, 3D printed ships are an ideal manufacturing method that thrives in collaborative ecosystems and innovation centers. Shipyards, technology companies, material suppliers, printing services and research institutions work together to create an environment for exchanging, testing and improving ideas. This collaborative spirit drives the industry forward, ensuring that the latest advances are quickly incorporated into the field of ship 3D printing.
Marine Additive Manufacturing Applications
Marine AM applications are not limited to 3D printing ships, Elimold’s industrial printers for printing large parts can easily print a variety of parts, from prototypes to tools, molds, superstructure components, to complete hulls, all custom to your needs.
- Ducting
- Enclosures
- Camera casing
- Brackets
- Exterior trim
- Wiring loom guides
- Composite tooling
- Fins
- Masts
- Radar Antennas
- Dashboards
- Rooves
- Extensions
- Interior Fixtures
- Bathroomssinks & design elements
- Directly-Printed Large Molds
Benefits of working with Elimold
Partnering with us gives you access to cutting-edge marine 3D printing technology and materials, ensuring precision and high performance for every project. Elimold’s custom marine parts 3D printing solutions reduce production time and costs while maintaining consistency and accuracy. In addition, our focus on innovation and quality enables marine manufacturers to efficiently streamline the process from concept to reality and achieve excellent results.
Request Your Free Marine 3D Printing Quote Today
After receiving your drawings, our engineers will analyze your custom Marine 3D Printing parts right away. We actively work with you to clarify all details before providing a quote that is both economical and accurate.