The propeller, which was manufactured by the Naval Group achieved several significant milestones, including becoming the largest metal 3D-printed propeller ever manufactured. It was also the first one made using additive manufacturing technology to equip a military ship in operation. With its 2.5-meter span supported by five 200-kg blades, this new-generation propeller was mounted on a Tripartite-class minehunter.

Emmanuel Chol, Director of the Naval Group Nantes-Indret site explains that the goal was to bring the WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) process from its research & development stage to actionable industrial standards. He notes that including Bureau Veritas from the beginning of the project was vital to achieving their results. "We are very proud to have obtained BV’s certification of the 3D-printed propeller blades, reflecting the industrial maturity of Naval Group as well as our capacity to meet the highest and most rigorous of standards."

Read the full article at Maritime Executive.