Optimising the MRO of maritime equipment

The SSF, which is responsible for the maintenance in operational condition (MCO) of the French Navy’s surface ships and submarines, is an innovator in the field of additive manufacturing. Indeed, the use of this new manufacturing process makes it possible to no longer have to physically store parts. Additive manufacturing replaces part of the stock necessary for maintenance with electronic storage of a digital design file. The resulting production of spare parts is carried out as close as possible to the need and at the request of the maintainer, which creates a dematerialized supply chain. Additive manufacturing thus guarantees on-demand part availability, which reduces stock management costs.

This technology saves the Navy money and increases operational performance: time savings, optimization of maintenance, reduction of delivery and storage time are all improved when additive manufacturing is thrown into the mix. Indeed, obtaining a military naval quality requires rigorous qualification, as military vessels weather severe conditions. Additive processes must meet strict requirements.

The Navy tested the design of the 3D file, the definition of the machine’s printing parameters, and the file’s secure transmission by printing in three locations. The data is not transmitted in real time, but during a stopover, on return from a mission, or near a coastal area covered by the French military network. This data does not allow the piece produced to be traced. It classifies the transaction as it is carried out and guarantees quality during production.

MainChain secures the end-to-end digital supply chain. It provides data traceability even when offline, guarantees that a designer’s manufacturing processes and methods are respected, and verifies that the 3D printer used during each production run is suitable for the design. The system, in short, ensures the integrity of industrial property during an exchange of digital information. Vistory establishes a relationship of trust between actors with divergent economic interests: the customer (SSF), the user (Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier), the designer of the part Naval Group and the person in charge of the machines (3D printer distributor Stratasys, CAD Vision).