Rosotics qualifies HY class alloy steel structures for AM

Rosotics has completed the initial studies for the large-scale additive manufacture of HY-class alloy steel structures, developed for use in demanding naval and marine environments.

Building upon the company’s heritage in depositing with high-performance aerospace materials, pioneered by the induction-based M1 Printer, Rosotics will coordinate with additional partners in the naval sector to further advance these capabilities to operational deployment by 2025.

The low-alloy steel of HY-80, used for the production of submarine hulls, has remained entirely outside of the scope of additive manufacturing since the inception of our industry. Utilizing the M1, Rosotics aims to produce from HY-80 the largest additively manufactured metal structures in the history of 3D printing, to face open-water deep submergence testing in the Pacific for US Navy analysis and study.

This endeavor, titled IDLE BLUE, is underscored by the necessity of access to innovation, particularly that 3D printing must be made viable for heavy industry as well, in order to lead in mutual defense, opportunity, and capability.

Rosotics’ M1 employs Rapid Induction Live Interpass (RILI) technology, a significantly more energy-efficient process for metal additive manufacturing that utilizes induction as a means to liquefy metal feedstock, rather than a laser-based approach. The process exists as an invention in the field of advanced metallurgy that broadens the scope of where additive manufacturing can be applied.