In the first week of 2018, the world’s first 3D printed offshore crane hook, manufactured by Huisman, successfully passed its load test (80 mt) and all associated quality control checks according to the strictest criteria.

Crane hooks are typically manufactured by casting or forging techniques. Yet, Huisman actively employs the 3D printing technique "Wire & Arc Additive Manufacturing" (WAAM) to produce mid-size to large components with high grade tensile steel, including a large 4-prong hook, with an own printed weight close to 1000 kg.

Important benefits for larger crane hooks are the significant reduction in delivery time at a cost that competes with forgings and castings, and a more consistent level of quality.

Improving the WAAM Process

WAAM can be used for crane hooks, but also allows Huisman to manufacture other components with complex shapes, short delivery times or local alternative material properties, to improve for example wear and corrosion resistance. The positive WAAM test results enable Huisman to manufacture reliable components that were physically impossible or commercially infeasible to produce before. In the near future Huisman aims to further improve the WAAM process by reducing the cost price for this technique and to increase manufacturing capabilities up to items of 2500 kg printed weight.

Picture by Huisman.