Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Composite Additive Manufacturing in Yacht Design: An Explorative Study

Bertolini, Michele

Primo

;Colombo, Giorgio

2026-01-01

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Abstract

This explorative study investigates the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and composite-based additive manufacturing (AM) in the design and fabrication of yacht components. Traditional manufacturing methods in the nautical sector impose significant constraints on customization and sustainability. By leveraging AI-powered text-to-3D tools and fused deposition modelling (FDM) with carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, this work demonstrates the feasibility of generating and manufacturing structurally simple yet functionally relevant yacht components. The design pipeline involved iterative prompt engineering, AI-assisted 3D model generation, and physical prototyping. Model generation required multiple attempts and human-in-the-loop selection to achieve functional realism and printability. The printed parts exhibited overall good visual and structural quality, indicating a promising pathway for fast, sustainable prototyping. Although limited to three relatively simple case studies, the results validate the potential of AI-AM workflows to overcome traditional manufacturing constraints. Future developments will focus on expanding components complexity and dimension, incorporating mechanical testing to assess structural viability, and refining AI-generated geometries for improved functional fidelity. This study supports a paradigm shift in yacht design, highlighting AI and AM as enablers of flexible, efficient, and sustainable product innovation.