First 10-metre hull built through 3D printing at HanseYachts

3D printing technology, after revolutionizing several industries, has been introduced to boatbuilding: German yacht manufacturer HanseYachts successfully integrated 3D printing into their yacht design and production.
The world renowned company founded in 1990 used the potentials of 3D printing to create a 10-metre hull for their latest yacht, the Hanse 3D15. The 3D printed hull has been being developed for the past three years, for which a 20-metre 3D printer had to be built as well.
Research and development in collaboration with VBS-Print lead to the possibility to actually produce a 10-metre 3D-printed hull which will be further manufactured from a wood-based filament, made up of 60% recycled wood as well as a polymeric binder.
Karl Dehler, chief engineer of the department for future development at HanseYachts AG said, “The new Hanse 3D15 will thus be a wooden yacht. With the new hull print production we want to manufacture not only more powerful hulls but also reduce the production times significantly in order to satisfy the high demand of our customers. As a result of the 3D print, the Hanse individualization concept can be implemented in every possible way.”
Talking about such a young technology and innovation which might not be taken seriously enough by clients and boatbuilders, Dr. Jens Gerhardt, CEO of Hanse Yachts AG, explained “When partners within our industry tell me that 3D printing will never be successful, I often like to remind them of the introduction of GRP [fiberglass] in the 60s, which was highly controversial at the time as a building material for boats.”
HanseYachts AG, which became one of the first boat manufacturers to introduce fiberglass as one of its main materials, is known for breaking down barriers and bringing the boat making industry into the future. Dr. Jens Gerhardt says, “Still today we see the power of innovation as a core competitive advantage of our yard and we are proud to set a new milestone in the international boat industry.”