Much less then three months after buying its first large-format metallic 3D printer from Nikon SLM Options, HII’s Newport Information Shipbuilding (NNS) division has positioned an order for a second.
The pair of NXG 600E 12-laser powder mattress fusion methods are being deployed for big, advanced parts and the alternative of legacy castings for vital naval purposes throughout U.S. Navy shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB). HII’s NNS is the primary U.S. shipyard with this functionality.
Nikon SLM Options is claimed to be supporting NNS with parameter growth and course of maturation for L-PBF manufacturing of NiAlBr parts, increasing materials functionality for 3D printing inside U.S. Navy provide chains and long-term maritime readiness.
Nikon AM CEO: “This must be a billion greenback enterprise”
TCT speaks to Nikon Superior Manufacturing CEO Hamid Zarringhalam in regards to the know-how big’s metallic additive manufacturing ambitions.

“This second NXG 600E order displays HII’s management and long-term dedication to advancing the maritime industrial base via additive manufacturing,” stated Hamid Zarringhalam, CEO of Nikon Superior Manufacturing and Chairman of the Board, Nikon SLM Options. “Increasing vital supplies capabilities reminiscent of Nickel Aluminum Bronze is a foundational a part of Nikon Superior Manufacturing’s holistic strategy, combining scalable platforms, materials and course of growth, and U.S.-based manufacturing and help. Along with HII, we’re enabling additive manufacturing to maneuver from remoted purposes to a repeatable, industrial functionality that helps U.S. Navy shipbuilding at scale.”
In a latest dialog with TCT, Zarringhalam spoke in regards to the important function for additive manufacturing within the defence provide chain. “For sustainment of navy, there isn’t a different,” Zarringhalam stated. “You are going to must qualify additive as a result of there’s simply no method for the traditional provide chain to maintain up with the demand.”
It’s actually not that sophisticated
“When will additive change into actually industrialised and mainstream? It has, you’ve simply been left behind speaking about it.”

