Protolabs Earns DNV Certification for EMEA Oil and Gas, Energy Industries

Digital manufacturer Protolabs has worked with Det Norske Veritas (DNV) to achieve Qualification of Manufacturer certification, reportedly becoming the first certified manufacturer using powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing (AM). The certification applies specifically to direct-metal laser sintering of the superalloy Inconel 718, a high-strength, corrosion-resistant nickel-chromium alloy. Says Daniel Cohn, general manager and 3DP lead for Protolabs EMEA: “Audits of our manufacturing facilities and processes prove that we comply with the general demands of the oil and gas industry so we now can move forward with even greater support for the sector.”

Adds Dr. Sastry Kandukuri, senior principal materials specialist in DNV’s Energy Systems Business Unit: “I am very happy our Global AM Technology Centre of Excellence was able to support Protolabs to reach this milestone, as the first certified manufacturer using powder-bed fusion technology in its additive process.”

Cohn predicts initial responses to the certification to include AM of spare parts, where the original molding casts no longer exist. “I believe the sector will turn to additive technologies to replace what formerly was cast,” he says, “but also to look into design possibilities to increase efficiency and create more robust designs for parts such as pumps, valves, components for turbines or sensoring equipment. Moreover, the certification assures customers that they can use the additive manufacturing route to unlock decarbonization benefits.”

Protolabs also recently announced plans to build a new 5000-sq.-m production facility in Putzbrunn, Germany, to increase its AM capacity by 50 percent.

See also: ProtoLabs Inc

Technologies:

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Start receiving newsletters.