What industries can benefit most from WAAM 3D printing for large stainless steel parts?

Marine and Offshore Engineering

WAAM is highly advantageous for the marine industry, where large stainless steel structures must withstand saltwater corrosion and extreme mechanical loads. Components such as propeller shafts, deck structures, brackets, subsea frames, and pressure housings can be produced or repaired using WAAM, reducing lead times and eliminating the need for large castings or forgings. The high deposition rate of WAAM makes it ideal for manufacturing oversized components essential for offshore platforms and shipbuilding.

Oil & Gas and Energy Production

The oil and gas sector benefits from WAAM’s ability to create heavy-duty stainless steel components with excellent corrosion and wear resistance. WAAM enables cost-effective fabrication and repair of large manifolds, riser components, valve housings, and structural supports. In power generation, WAAM is used for stainless steel turbine casings, heavy brackets, cooling structures, and heat-exchanger elements, providing fast turnaround for critical replacements or design upgrades.

Mining and Heavy Industrial Equipment

Heavy industries such as mining rely on robust stainless steel components that often experience severe abrasion and impact loads. WAAM supports fast production of durable wear plates, pump bodies, structural supports, and conveyor system components. Its ability to rebuild damaged areas or produce thick-walled structures enhances equipment uptime and reduces operational costs in demanding environments.

Chemical Processing and Pharmaceutical

Large stainless steel vessels, piping systems, mixers, and processing frames used in the chemical processing and pharmaceutical and food industries require high corrosion resistance and precise structural integrity. WAAM enables the manufacturing of custom stainless steel structures with optimized geometry while avoiding the long lead times associated with large-scale castings or welded assemblies.

Aerospace and Industrial Machinery

Though not as common for flight hardware, WAAM is widely used in aerospace and aviation for ground-support equipment, tooling, fixtures, and stainless steel structural frames. Industrial machinery sectors benefit from WAAM for producing machine bases, large tooling elements, and reinforced stainless structures where strength and corrosion resistance are required.