Case Study of a 3D Printed Underwater Housing

Advances in additive manufacturing (AM) have improved the resolution and accuracy of 3D printed parts across several printing technologies with a wide array of material options. These advances are enabling the practical manufacture of underwater pressure vessels. This case study specifically examines the production of a moderately sized underwater camera system (214 mm long by 113 mm diameter) intended for long-term monitoring of coral reef habitats. The system was produced from a polymer on a Carbon, Inc. printer using Digital Light Synthesis (DLS). The resultant product is compared to its machined aluminum counterpart with respect to dimensional tolerances and material properties. Specific attention is given to sealing surfaces and printing considerations with respect to support structures and their impact on surface finishes. The resulting system has undergone a long-term vacuum test and has been pressured cycled to a depth of approximately 33 m (100 ft.) with no water ingress.