General – 3D printing
The Norwegian robotics company Kongsberg Ferrotech has worked with Equinor, SINTEF and Gassco to develop 3D printing technologies for the repair and maintenance of underwater equipment.
The company has already developed an underwater robotic system, Nautilus, that can be used to perform remote composite repairs on underwater pipelines.
Now, with the support of the Norwegian Research Council, Kongsberg Ferrotech would like to expand these systems through the PETROMAKS 2 program to include additive printing functions in which metallic media are used to repair defects.
The company will use 3D printing to rebuild damaged metal structures, layer by layer. This enables permanent repairs and the implementation of new functions as needed.
“The rapid development of 3D printing technology opens up new opportunities and markets for the future,” says Brede Lærum, Head of 3D Printing at Equinor. “Combining this technology with Kongsberg Ferrotech’s robots opens up many exciting new opportunities for repairs and modifications underwater. We look forward to working closely with our industrial partners.”
“This is the beginning of a new industrial adventure that is of strategic importance to our company. We see great long-term market opportunity outside of the oil and gas industry, ”said Christopher Carlsen, CEO of Kongsberg Ferrotech.
The development of the 3D printing function is carried out simultaneously with the expectation that a first application will be possible in 2022.
