3D Printed PA12 Nylon (SLS) for extreme deep-sea conditions
Job Information
| Cable Olive | Low Volume Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Technology | Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) |
| Material | PA12 Nylon |
| Finish | As Printed |
| Part Size | 190 x 285 x 93 mm |
| Quantity | 4 |
| Unit Cost | £871.84 / product |
Customer Info/Context
Subsea 7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry. Subsea 7's engineering expertise, alliances and specialist technologies enable the company to deliver designs and solutions for their clients in all water depths across various energy hubs.
Issue / Challenge
Subsea 7 required an alternative solution to a gauging pig to be used during the pull-in operations of a replacement power cable at an offshore platform. For the project to succeed, the olive must withstand the extreme conditions of the deep-sea environment.
What are the benefits of using additive manufacturing?
Subsea 7 saw key benefits by choosing SLS 3D printing to produce their product.
Economic price for low numbers of units
Short lead time
Robust material suitable for deep-sea application
Subsea 7 Project Engineer quote:
"The project was a great success. We pulled the 3D printed olive up through the platform to replicate the cable being installed. The printing turnaround time was extremely quick and the parts were installed with the utmost ease and were ideal for the task."
Solution
PA12 (SLS) is the industry-leading material for industrial 3D printing. This robust material has superb mechanical properties and can replace injection moulded or CNC machined alternatives. Unlike traditional low volume production methods, with SLS 3D printing there is close to zero material waste in the manufacturing process. The parts were also made locally, saving emissions from unnecessary overseas shipping. PA12 (SLS) was a perfect solution for the production of the olive, plus with the increasing focus on sustainability, the reduction in manufacturing effort required to produce the olive versus a conventional gauge pig was significant. The durability of the material functioned perfectly for the task. The as-printed surface finish of the parts made them easy to handle, the olives were installed with the utmost ease and returned to the surface with little to no mechanical damage.
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