Newsfender EU Launches 3D Printed, Sustainable Boat Fenders
The Spain-based company has introduced marine fenders 3D printed from TPU with a “return and recycle” concept.
Editor-in-Chief, Additive Manufacturing
Boats, docks, shipyards and more rely on fenders, protective pieces of hardware that prevent and reduce the impact of watercraft collisions. Fenders are necessary to marine settings, but can be a wasteful part of vessel and infrastructure production. Furthermore, fenders are often produced from materials such as foam and polyurea, which are difficult to recycle and can even be hazardous to humans and the environment.
Newsfender EU uses large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) 3D printers from BigRep to produce marine fenders in a variety of shapes and configurations.
To reduce the environmental impact of fenders and improve functionality for these components, Spain-based company Newsfender EU has launched a new product concept: “fully digital, on-demand production of fenders using recyclable TPU material.”
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Operating out of the DFactory innovation hub in Barcelona, Spain, Newsfender EU is using industrial large-format 3D printers from BigRep to produce fenders in custom shapes and sizes.
Newsfender EU uses large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) 3D printers from BigRep to produce marine fenders in a variety of shapes and configurations.
The TPU fenders are recyclable and trackable, making it possible to return used items to the manufacturer to be made into new fender
The 3D printed fenders can be customized and produced on demand, eliminating inventory, and made without fill material or coatings, simplifying and reducing waste in the manufacturing process. Flexible TPU material takes the place of traditional materials like foam and polyurea, which can contaminate waterways and harm aquatic life.
Plus, the material is fully recyclable. Newsfender EU has developed a method for crushing and melting old fenders so that the material can be reused in new ones.
Fenders can be produced with a type of TPU that “charges” with UV light and glows in the dark.
In addition to being more environmentally friendly, 3D printed fenders can leverage additive designs to offer optimized shock absorption for better performance in use. The additive process also makes it possible to embed NFC chips for tracking of the fenders. If one is lost at sea, for example, the finder could scan the fender with a smartphone to read its chip and learn who it belongs to. Newsfender also offers UV-reactive TPU that “charges” during the day and glows brightly at night to improve visibility.
3D printed fenders are already in use by the Guardia Civil and the Olympic Port in Barcelona, and the company has seen interest from other maritime authorities and shipyards as well.