Modular production of small ship models using 3D printing for model tests

This paper presents a cost-effective approach for the production of small-scale ship models, particularly suitable for model testing of high-speed vessels characterized by a high Froude number. In contrast to traditional approach employed in ship model production, the proposed approach uses 3D printing technology integrated with modularity. This strategy enables the mitigation of expenses associated with procuring 3D printers, facilitates dynamic design changes, and accommodates parallel printing using multiple printers, thereby resulting in a reduction in production time. The manufacturing process involves modularization of the original CAD model, build scheduling, interface design, assembly, fabrication, and painting. A case study is presented, which demonstrates the proposed process in ship model production using 3D printing. The geometric similarity between the built model and the original CAD model was assessed by generating a point cloud using a 3D scanner. To evaluate the resistance performance of the 3D printed ship model, experiment and numerical simulation were conducted. These results indicate a high level of similarity and reliability.