Today Siemens It has been news since, as they have commented in an official press release, the German multinational has managed to manufacture using 3D printing technologies a spare part which will be used at the Slovenian Krsko nuclear power plant.
Going into a little more detail, apparently we are talking about an impeller for one of the fire protection pumps, which is currently in constantly rotating operation. This specific pump, along with several other units, is responsible for providing pressure to the fire protection system of the nuclear power plant.
Siemens has been commissioned to manufacture a part by 3D printing that will be used in a nuclear power plant.
Siemens had to use 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies to create this part since it was installed during the commissioning of the nuclear power plant in 1981. After all this time and given the need to change this part, those responsible Central maintenance officers found that the original manufacturer had disappeared so they were either looking for an identical part, or they had to change the entire system.
The answer to this need came from Siemens' group of digital technology experts in Slovenia who managed to create a part using company-specific 3D design software through reverse engineering. These diagrams were sent to the matrix which, thanks to its machines, was able to manufacture the part they needed.
As commented Tim holt, Managing Director of Siemens Power Generation Services Division:
We continue to increase our investment and advancements in state-of-the-art 3D printing and additive manufacturing. This achievement at the Krsko nuclear power plant is yet another example of how the digital transformation and data-driven capabilities we possess affect the energy sector in really important ways. Additive manufacturing has reduced lead times, production is faster and more capable of optimizing parts replacement and offers real value to our customers.
For Vinko Planinc, Maintenance Director at the Krsko Nuclear Power Plant:
The performance is better than expected in our new 3D printed part, this makes us confident that we can achieve the expected life of our equipment. Siemens has a long history of innovation in this area, and their dedication to providing their customers with the latest proven innovations made them an unbeatable partner for this project.