Linksolution Signs MOU with Naval Maintenance Depot to Build Digital Parts Supply Chain

Linksolution has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Naval Maintenance Depot to advance defense 3D-printing technology.

According to Linksolution on November 9, the agreement aims to combine expertise in additive manufacturing (3D printing) for the defense sector with the Naval Maintenance Depot's ship maintenance capabilities to establish a stable supply of discontinued parts and parts subject to lengthy procurement delays. Applying 3D-printing technology to parts that are difficult to procure on time using conventional manufacturing methods will improve the efficiency of ship maintenance and strengthen the stability of the defense parts supply chain.

The two organizations will pursue mutual support for 3D-printing technologies and information related to defense parts; cooperation on research and development projects involving technologies for both civilian and military use; joint use of research information and infrastructure; and exchanges at academic conferences and seminars.

First, the two organizations will assess the feasibility of applying 3D-printing technology to parts needed for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of Navy ships and develop concrete plans for practical cooperation. To this end, they will undertake phased cooperation across the entire process, from identifying candidate parts for additive manufacturing in ship maintenance to reverse-engineering parts and creating digital data, reviewing materials and manufacturing processes, producing prototypes, and verifying performance and quality.

In the medium to long term, they plan to expand the scope of cooperation to include a "digital parts bank (digital inventory)" model that systematically manages design and manufacturing data for 3D-printed parts and enables their immediate use when needed. A digital parts bank is a system that digitizes and manages manufacturing data for approved parts, enabling them to be produced and supplied using additive manufacturing technology at the time and place they are needed.

"A digital inventory is a key foundation for connecting parts data with actual additive manufacturing capabilities so parts can be supplied at the time and place they are needed," said Choi Geunsik, CEO of Linksolution. "Through close cooperation with the Naval Maintenance Depot, we will overcome supply constraints for discontinued parts and parts subject to lengthy procurement delays, and help improve ship maintenance efficiency and operational availability."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.