Curtiss-Wright and Sintavia deliver 3D printed impeller for U.S. Navy submarine

Curtiss-Wright’s EMS Division delivered the first submarine component with an additively manufactured (AM) impeller that will be installed in a U.S. Navy vessel. Sintavia, a specialist in designing and manufacturing critical additively manufactured defense components, provided the AM impeller after a thorough qualification process.

“Sintavia has proven to be an invaluable industry partner, and we are excited about the opportunity to further solidify our partnership by increasing the number of additively manufactured parts for this application and other critical naval defense components,” said David Micha, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of the EMS Division. “In addition, we are proud to be providing the first critical service equipment utilizing an additively manufactured component to the U.S. Navy’s submarine program and look forward to expanding these capabilities in the future to more efficiently serve our customer.”

Curtiss-Wright’s Engineered Pump Division (EPD) in Bethlehem, PA, Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc. (BPMI) in Monroeville, PA, and Sintavia, LLC in Fort Lauderdale, FL, collaborated to develop, manufacture, test, and supply the first submarine component utilizing a qualified, metal additively manufactured part. This impeller was assembled into the pump and tested at Curtiss-Wright’s facility in Bethlehem, PA.

Part of Curtiss-Wright’s EMS division, the EPD business unit is a leading supplier of pumps and components that meet demanding and mission-critical requirements for the world’s surface and submerged naval fleets. EPD also provides a wide range of spare and replacement parts, composite pump components, and support services for complete overhaul, upgrade, and in-field expertise.

Additive manufacturing technology offers a solution to the development of a product or component that historically has been difficult or costly to manufacture, often resulting in delays. The use of this technology is expected to provide a reliable and high-quality domestic source while also leading to shorter manufacturing lead times, increased quality, lower risk in performance, and improved delivery to further meet the needs of the U.S. Navy.

“We would like to thank both Curtiss-Wright and BPMI for the opportunity to leverage Sintavia’s additive technology in the production of this critical component,” said Lindsay Lewis, Sintavia’s Corporate Vice President. “Leading-edge manufacturing processes such as AM will continue to be key differentiators in developing superior defense components in the years to come.”