Dutch firm to develop 3D-printed workboat

Delft, Netherlands-based CEAD has joined a collaboration that will develop a new workboat with the aid of 3D printing technology.

Construction of the HDPE-hulled boat will take place at CEAD's maritime applications centre (MAC), which is being developed into a full-scale 3D printing facility.

For this project, CEAD will contribute its expertise in large-format 3D printing. The company is also currently developing print technologies capable of processing improved HDPE blends.

"This collaboration demonstrates how technology can directly contribute to practical solutions in the maritime sector," said Charlene van Wingerden, Chief Business Development Officer at CEAD. "The MAC was founded to accelerate exactly these kinds of innovations – and a 3D-printed [HDPE workboat] is a perfect example of that."

CEAD said the 3D-printed workboat project could lead to broader applications of additive manufacturing in shipbuilding.

CEAD said that once the MAC is completed, the high degree of automation will permit only two or three operators to be directly responsible for the manufacture of up to a hundred 3D-printed boats at the 2,300-square-metre facility each year.