PORT HUENEME, Calif. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) sailors will pass on the know-how of valuable 3D printing knowledge to other sailors, thanks to a new course offered by the command.
The first class of NSWC PHD sailors just finished the two-week Fleet Outreach Additive Manufacturing Course July 31, and will now teach crew from visiting ships how to print tools for use aboard their ships, said Lt. Todd Coursey, outreach military lead for the In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) of the Future team.
“This effort of fleet outreach classes for visiting ships is a major step for us,” he said.
In the course, sailors learn to use 3D printing technology, also called additive manufacturing, or AM, to design and manufacture tools, test equipment and other non-critical components with an emphasis on combat systems and other related shipboard use.
“They can produce these items while underway, instead of waiting for them to be delivered,” Coursey said.
The course includes extensive hands-on labs with AM machines and scanning hardware and software to deliver a high-quality training experience, according to Coursey. Students gain both book smarts and working-level trouble-shooting knowledge.
“We started with a three-day class in 2011, but decided this two-week schedule worked better to give the students a full understanding of the 3D process,” said Guggilam Sresty, director, government contracts and projects for applied systems and technology transfer. “Now, they learn design, 3D scanning, troubleshooting problems and producing a final product.”
Armen Kvryan, NSWC PHD’s AM lead and subject matter expert, collaborated with Jason Bickford, lead engineer for ISEA of the Future program, to move the project ahead quickly.
“Obsolescence is a growing challenge as combat systems age and production of parts ends for various equipment configurations,” Kvryan said. “AM is a valuable tool to enable replacement of discontinued broken parts to keep combat systems operational. AM provides a cost-effective, rapidly deployable solution.”
Kvryan added, “The synergy between PHD AM mentors and visiting warfighters will also allow PHD workforce to both understand the direct needs of warfighters and source ideas we can leverage into solutions.”
“Being a part of the ISEA of the Future team has allowed me to work alongside members to ensure these pilot projects not only showcase the capabilities of our command but also make sure our workforce can effectively utilize what AM has to offer to the fullest potential,“ he said.
The pilot projects, of which the AM course is one, also get requested parts to the fleet quicker, and reduce cost and maintenance. Additionally, the different departments communicate better as a result.
Fire Controlman First Class Theron Samuel supports the mentoring idea behind the course.
“I volunteered for the course because it sounded really interesting, and because it will give me the opportunity to teach other sailors about the 3D process,” he said.
Fire Controlman Second Class Matthew Dawson already had a design background.
“3D printing is pretty much the way of the future, and I’m looking forward to learning this process and then passing it on to others aboard ship,” he said. “It’s also important to continue our training to become more proficient in the field.”
PHD Commanding Officer Capt. Ray Acevedo, who visited the class during a printing exercise, said he could envision 3D printing’s usefulness on a ship.
“This process will come in handy if, in the thick of things, a part fails and you have to design and make a replacement,” he said.
“We are at the leading edge of this technology,” said PHD Technical Director Paul Mann. “Ultimately, this technology will be placed on every ship in the Navy.”
Four sailors in the class are so interested in this innovative aspect of keeping ships online longer, they volunteered to continue training through a Department of Labor apprenticeship program leading to certification in 3D printing.
“They are dedicating between 2,000 and 3,000 hours to the apprenticeship. This program can be a game-changer for the Navy,” said Coursey. “As our Commanding Officer and Technical Director said during the class they visited, ‘This is the future, and these sailors are taking advantage of it.”’