May 10, 2017 | By David

The world of high-speed boat racing could soon be shaken up by 3D printing, as an Italian startup has come one step closer to building a new yacht using the technology.

Livrea has been developing a fully 3D printed racing yacht in collaboration with 3D printing expert Autodesk. The two companies have just completed their largest component yet, which will be on display this week at RAPID.

Livrea co-founders Daniele Cevola and Francesco Belivsi are part of the grand old tradition of Sicilian boatbuilding, and had been making yachts for many years before they decided to take advantage of 3D printing technology. Initially using it for small scale models, as well as to produce some parts of their more sedentary boats like the 26-foot day sailer Livrea 26, they soon saw its potential to give their racing creations a competitive edge.

Recognizing that 3D printing technology would drastically speed up production time and bring down costs while advancing their designs to the next level, they embarked on a collaborative project with Autodesk to completely revolutionize their manufacturing process.

One of Autodesk’s most recent manufacturing innovations is a large-scale automated 3D printing process. It uses advanced motion control and machine learning techniques to synchronize robotic and extruder manufacturing, making in-process real-time monitoring of a print job and ‘free-form’ material layup strategies possible for the first time.

Livrea’s yacht project is one of the first industrial examples of this new technology being put to use, and it is pointing the way forward for many manufacturing sectors besides boatbuilding.

According to Massimiliano Moruzzi, Senior Principal Research Scientist at Autodesk, “Livrea is a great example of a company exploring the future of making things and shaking up its industry...The team are harnessing the very latest in advanced manufacturing techniques and materials and showing what is possible in the here and now.

We’re really excited to help Livrea on its quest to the world’s first 3D printed yacht, and I know many much bigger companies are watching with interest how many of the processes we’re developing here can be applied in other industries too.”

3D printing has provided an unprecedented level of complexity in terms of hull curvature and other dynamic design features. Initial hand-drawn designs have been worked up into elaborate 3D models using Autodesk’s Fusion 360 modelling software, and a range of advanced multi-material polymer composites can now be used instead of wood to achieve the best possible structural accuracy and lightness.

Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, which can take months, 3D printing represents a massive upgrade in terms of speed, with parts able to be 3D printed in a matter of hours. This allows for much more extensive testing of designs, and allows the boat makers to save money and cut down on waste materials.

While we have seen 3D printing technology used for these kind of racing yachts before, this is the first time a company has set out to build a boat from scratch, and we’re excited to see how this project will progress. We may have to wait a little while yet, however, as Livrea plans to have the yacht finished in time for it to race in the 2019 Mini Transat.

This solo transatlantic yacht race typically starts in France and ends in Brazil, covering over 4,000 miles with a stop in Madeira or the Canary Islands, and is one of the most exhilarating and challenging events in the global yachting calendar. Regardless of what happens, it is likely to be the site of another key stage in the evolution of 3D printing technology.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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Chido wrote at 5/11/2017 4:03:57 PM:

Hello :) Do we know what 3D printer they use?



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