Curtiss-Wright, Sintavia Deliver First Submarine Component Utilizing AM

Curtiss-Wright’s EMS Division has delivered the first submarine component with an additively manufactured impeller that will be installed in a U.S. Navy vessel.

Curtiss-Wright’s Engineered Pump Division (EPD), Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc. (BPMI) and Sintavia LLC collaborated to develop, manufacture, test and supply the first submarine component utilizing a qualified, metal part. Sintavia provided the AM impeller after a thorough qualification process. This impeller was assembled into the pump and tested at Curtiss-Wright’s facility in Bethlehem, PA.

AM technology offers a solution to the development of a product or component that historically has been difficult or costly to manufacture, often resulting in delays. The use of this technology is expected to provide a reliable, high-quality domestic source while also leading to shorter manufacturing lead times, increased quality, lower risk in performance, and improved delivery to further meet the needs of the U.S. Navy.

“Sintavia has proven to be an invaluable industry partner, and we are excited about the opportunity to further solidify our partnership by increasing the number of additively manufactured parts for this application and other critical naval defense components,” says David Micha, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of the EMS Division. “In addition, we are proud to be providing the first critical service equipment utilizing an additively manufactured component to the U.S. Navy’s submarine program and look forward to expanding these capabilities in the future to more efficiently serve our customer.”