Lincoln Electric Partners With Bechtel Plant Machinery to Support US Navy

Lincoln Electric has announced that its large-scale 3D metal printing solution has been selected by Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc. (BPMI) for development to support the United States Navy. As part of the development program, Lincoln Electric will be 3D printing large-scale propulsion components measuring almost 10 feet in diameter and weighing up to 20,000 pounds.

“We are proud to continue expanding our network of strategic program partners to the U.S. Navy,” says Barbara Staniscia, BPMI’s president and general manager. “Metal additive manufacturing is pivotal to driving innovation and supply chain resiliency, enabling the program to deliver advanced capabilities to the U.S. Navy.”

“We are pleased to be a strategic partner to BPMI and support the U.S. Navy’s goal to accelerate shipbuilding,” adds Mark Douglass, business development manager, Lincoln Electric Additive Solutions. “We believe our advanced manufacturing process, supported by in-house wire feedstock production and industry-leading application, automation and metallurgical expertise can add significant value in meeting the U.S. Navy’s goals.”

Lincoln Electric operates the world’s largest wire-based 3D metal printing platform in Cleveland, Ohio, and is fully vertically integrated with high-volume wire manufacturing across a range of alloys, 3D robotic cell integration and its SculptPrint OS software. The additive manufacturing solution rapidly 3D prints large-scale, metal-based parts directly from CAD files up to eight-times faster than traditional casting or forging methods, according to the company.