Lincoln Electric has been selected to manufacture critical components for U.S. Navy submarines, marking a significant milestone in defence industrial innovation.
In a collaborative investment with the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program and General Dynamics Electric Boat, Lincoln Electric will harness its cutting-edge large-scale metal additive manufacturing capabilities to produce parts essential to the construction of nuclear-powered submarines.
The partnership will see General Dynamics Electric Boat sourcing these components from Lincoln Electric’s advanced Additive Solutions facility in Cleveland, which is powered by four state-of-the-art SculptPrint™ machines. This initiative represents Lincoln Electric’s largest government-backed additive manufacturing capital investment to date, underscoring the company’s pivotal role in transforming traditional shipbuilding methods.
By using 3D printing technology, Lincoln Electric aims to address persistent supply chain challenges and material shortages that have impacted submarine construction schedules, replacing long lead time parts such as castings and forgings.
The move is expected to significantly reduce lead times, streamline production processes, and bolster the Navy’s ability to deliver one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and two Virginia-class attack submarines annually by 2028, all while maintaining the existing fleet.
Steven B. Hedlund, chairman and CEO of Lincoln Electric, commented, “This investment strengthens our partnership with Electric Boat and solidifies Lincoln Electric’s commitment to delivering transformative solutions for the defence industrial base.” The collaboration not only highlights Lincoln Electric’s manufacturing prowess but also reflects the collective effort to ensure that America’s shipbuilding and repair capabilities are equipped for the strategic demands of the coming decades.
lincolnelectric.com
Photo: Mr. Mike Whitehead, Lincoln Electric’s President of Americas Welding, Ms. Larissa Smith, Director, Advanced Manufacturing, DRPM, Maritime Industrial Base Program, U.S. Navy, and Mr. Ken Jeanos, VP, Materials and Supply Chain, General Dynamics Electric Boat, lead the ribbon cutting to celebrate the investment of four SculptPrint™ 1500 additive manufacturing cells to support the production of critical submarine components.
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