AM Solutions Receives KR Certification for 3D Printing Technology

Korean Register (KR) has awarded a manufacturing process certificate to AM Solutions, a South Korean 3D printing solutions company, for its laser wire directed energy deposition (LW-DED)-based additive manufacturing repair technology.

It marks the first time in Korea that KR has verified the safety and reliability of a process that uses additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, to repair damaged sections of metal structures. It also represents an important step in expanding the application of additive manufacturing beyond the production of new components to maintenance and repair.

Additive manufacturing has gained attention as a production technology for the aerospace, shipbuilding, offshore and defense sectors owing to its ability to produce complex parts quickly. However, its application in industrial settings has been held back by a lack of certification frameworks, high implementation costs and limited industrial demand.

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) took a step toward addressing this gap last year, establishing Recommendation No. 186 ‘Additively Manufactured Metallic Parts for Marine and Offshore Applications,’ which enables the safe application of additive manufacturing in the marine and offshore sector.

KR has since revised its own additive manufacturing guidelines and developed a certification framework spanning materials, processes, products and manufacturing