Pump Impeller
Fan blades used to cool electrical motors
Material: Stainless Steel (SS 316)
Technology: SLM
Oil & Gas
Lead Time
85%
Reduction
Cost
50%
Reduction
Challenge:
Original damaged part
Bahri faced significant issues with the longevity and performance of the original brass impellers, which led to frequent replacements and high maintenance costs. The main challenges included:
- Short lead times for sourcing replacements.
- Improving the hardness and lifetime of the impeller material.
- Reducing costs related to logistics, inventory, and downtime.
Solution:
After Dynamic Balancing
Namthaja proposed the use of 3D printed stainless steel impellers. The solution involved:
- Reverse Engineering: The original part was reverse engineered and a digital model was created.
- Material Selection: Stainless Steel was chosen for its superior hardness and durability.
- 3D Printing Technology: The impeller was 3D printed using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology and then machined to the required dimensions.
- Increased Lifetime & Reliability: The new stainless steel impeller significantly outperforms the original brass impeller in terms of durability and reliability.
- Lead Time Reduction: The 3D printing process reduced the lead time by 85%.
- Cost Efficiency: The overall costs were reduced by 50% due to lower logistics, inventory, and downtime expenses.
- Enhanced Performance: The new impeller provided better performance, with improved efficiency and reduced power consumption.