The field of 3D printing has in recent years begun to provide practical and cost-effective solutions for defense-related industries as well. CEAD, one of the world’s leading companies in large-format 3D printing solutions, announced at the recently held Formnext exhibition the launch of the “Faber Navalis” system. This is a first-of-its-kind technological development, designed to enable fully automated production of boat hulls intended for heavy-duty applications, such as workboats, industrial vessels, and defense platforms. As part of the launch, the company presented a fully printed 5.7-meter-long fishing boat as proof of the system’s capabilities.
The new solution constitutes a “complete package” combining hardware, software, and dedicated raw materials. The system is based on an advanced robotic arm and proprietary software that enables the design and printing of boat hulls with built-in structural reinforcements. In addition, a unique raw material called HDPro is used, which was developed specifically to ensure high impact resistance and to eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance, considered a significant burden in the maritime industry.
Lukas Jansen, CEO of CEAD, emphasized that the transition to reliable production at this scale required precise alignment of all components toward a single goal. The system’s success has already been proven in the field: The company carried out a project for the Dutch Navy, during which a 12-meter-long ship hull prototype was printed. This process was completed in just six weeks, in contrast to traditional manufacturing methods, where a project of this magnitude may take years.
The significance of the development lies in narrowing the gap between theory and practice in industrial 3D printing. The system includes built-in quality control and backup mechanisms that allow the printer to operate continuously for days without failures, enabling manufacturers to move to mass production that is faster and more cost-effective, without the risks associated with adopting new, unproven technologies.