2023-07-26 19:28:21
British supplier of industrial valves to the oil industry KOSO Kent Introl implements additive manufacturing. It will be the first British supplier to the oil and gas industry to apply 3D metal printing in production. KOSO Kent Introl collaborates with Renishaw in AM.
“Current material and quality standards in the oil and gas industry, such as those set by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE), mean that very few manufacturers use AM in this industry,” said Matthew Charlton, technical director at Kent Intro, out. Still, he thinks the time is right to take this step. Customers ask for it. “The technology is still in its infancy, but it has a lot of potential.” That is why the supplier has decided to invest in AM technology and to develop a strategy. “Renishaw’s system provides the technical capabilities and support we needed, and we were happy to invest in a British manufacturer.”
First UK supplier to the oil and gas industry to implement AM
Contribute to energy efficiency and CO2 reduction
Kent Introl now has a RemAM 500Q Flex from Renishaw at its main site in West Yorkshire. Initially, the 3D metal printer will be used for research and development projects. In addition, the supplier believes that it will be able to develop and produce special valves more quickly. The reason for 3D printing high-quality valves and valves is that the oil and gas industry strives for energy efficiency and wants to further reduce CO2 emissions. Kent Introl will investigate how optimizing the design and on-demand production can contribute to this. The Flex version of this metal printer offers the flexibility to change materials. “We want to explore how it enables us to move to more sustainable and efficient production processes that meet the demands of a rapidly changing market,” says Matthew Charlton. In addition, he believes that AM will enable local production of spare parts, drastically reducing lead times.
Additive manufacturing has great potential
Important step in oil and gas industry
Stephen Crownshaw, AM Business Manager at Renishaw, sees Kent Introl’s investment as an important step in the oil and gas industry’s adoption of additive manufacturing. He says: “While additive manufacturing service bureaus can produce parts for any industry, they may not have the industry knowledge to effectively advise oil and gas suppliers. By installing the equipment himself, Kent Introl can use his industry knowledge and growing AM knowledge to develop parts and processes that benefit his customers.”
Additive Manufacturing is one of the technologies with which Renishaw will participate in September at EMO Hannover, the world’s largest metalworking trade fair.
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