When systems that support operations by the 5th, 6th and 7th fleets break down, the Seabees who are deployed with them will have a new set of tools. For the first time, the Seabees — attached to the Gulfport, Miss.-based Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 — will be able to manufacture replacement parts by using a bevy of 3D printers. Linked together with special software, computers and scanners, the devices enable the Seabees to simply look up the designs and stock numbers of certain parts and print them. To date, the unit has tested more than 30 different printed parts and has plans to incorporate another 50. The process eliminates long wait times for resupply and saves valuable storage space on vessels.
“We were able to bring a bushing for the adjustable shock absorber used on our medium tactical vehicle replacement tractors and wreckers,” said Chief Construction Mechanic Gail Best. “The shock absorbers cost $10,000 each. We were able to print a new bushing here in the field for $1 and install it.”
