The project will front the new generation of marine propellers manufactured using advanced manufacturing processes
The Digitally Enabled Efficient Propeller (D.E.E.P) project will lead a new generation of marine propellers manufactured using advanced additive manufacturing (AM) processes, integrated with digital twin technology
The innovation will trigger the evolution of propellers, changing from passive hardware to smart, cyber-physical systems able to monitor their performance throughout their operational life.
The D.E.E.P concept secured funding from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6) to release the Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of Manufacturing Digitally Enabled Efficient Propellers.
The project will explore the technology readiness of various AM processes for the maritime sector, benchmark their performance against conventional casting methods, and set a clear route towards classification approval and type certification. This ensures the project will deliver on technical innovation but also develop a credible framework for industrial adoption and regulatory compliance.
Enki Marine leads the consortium and brings together the expertise of Stone Marine Propulsion, TWI, Deep Manufacturing, Authentise, ASTM International, and Newcastle University.
Peter Richards, CEO of Deep Manufacturing, said, “Deep Manufacturing is delighted to collaborate with world-leading organisations in the maritime, technology, and standards sectors to further the development and deployment of advanced applications in Additive Manufacturing."
Richards added, “As a pioneer in the field of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), we have consistently demonstrated leadership in translating emerging technologies into practical, real-world solutions. Through the D.E.E.P project, we look forward to applying our proven expertise and technical knowledge to support the advancement of innovative manufacturing practices that further help to drive transformation within the industry.”
Dr Milad Armin, executive director at Enki, said, “Enki’s core mission is to ensure that emerging technologies are not only cutting-edge but also safe, purpose-driven, and seamlessly integrated into the maritime sector. We are proud to collaborate with a world-leading consortium on the D.E.E.P programme, which supports our mission and will pioneer a new generation of marine propellers manufactured through advanced additive manufacturing processes and enhanced with digital twin technology.”
The project will begin in September 2025 with its first phase focusing on evaluating AM processes, followed by stages that will validate the demonstrator on Newcastle University's research vessel, with the long-term goal of enabling approval and scaling production for commercial adoption by the global fleet.
