Additive Manufacturing of a Replacement Compressor Coupling for Offshore Operations
A compressor coupling failure left critical offshore equipment non-operational, with conventional replacement procurement requiring four to six months due to supply chain constraints. When engaged to provide a solution, we reverse-engineered the failed component through 3D laser scanning and material analysis, then manufactured a replacement using Submerged-Arc Additive Manufacturing (SAAM) with EM12K wire. The solution included comprehensive NDT and destructive testing to ensure mechanical integrity and performance compliance. We delivered the replacement coupling within five weeks, enabling the customer to restore operations months ahead of conventional procurement timelines.
This project demonstrates how additive manufacturing combined with reverse engineering capabilities can address critical supply chain vulnerabilities in offshore operations.