It was not that long ago that we talked about 3D printing and how that really has helped moved the scale model diecast crane world into the next phase for accessories.  Since most of the accessories are made from plastic, it is easy to see that you can make smaller pieces, parts and loads with a 3D printer.

Check out the article about the 3D printed bucket.

But today, we are not talking about a 3D printed hook or other accessory that is made from plastic.  We are talking about a company that has made the very first, 3D printed offshore crane hook.  You read that right, it is an offshore crane hook that was created with a large, 3D printed and the wire & arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process.  The hook weighs more than ton and has already passed some of the strictest load tests, according to the company that made it.

In most cases, with any hook that is used in the crane industry, it is made from forging or casting steel into the shape of hook that is required by the customer.  There are 2-prong and 4-prong models that are most popular and in most cases the hooks alone weigh more than 2,000 pounds and can lift up to 80 tons!

Using the WAAM process, the hook has a high tensile strength and the process can produce components that are medium to large in size.  When it comes to manufacturing large hooks, the company claims it can offer shorter delivery times, more consistent quality of the hook and a price that is competitive throughout the industry.

Because a 3D printer is used in the process, the company can also provide a wide range of components, even if they are complex in shape since the printer is operated from a series of drawings and files loaded onto a computer.  In the future, the company is hoping to develop a process that is more affordable for crane companies, allows for the creation of more diverse hooks and components and increase the available size to more than 2.5 tons.

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