Objectives   With the rapid development of naval equipment and its increasing use frequency and failure rate, the traditional repair mode has limitations. This paper puts forward a rapid prototyping manufacturing (RPM) and equipment design method used in ship maintenance support.

  Methods   Based on the hardware, software, technology and materials, the integration technology of rapid prototyping equipment is researched according to the actual situation of the ship. The design method of quick removal and combination using the equipment movement mechanism is adopted, achieving rapid prototyping repair with nitrogen as the shielding gas. The key technologies and methods of rapid prototyping repair are then studied, including technology, shape coordination and control, and post-repair treatment.

  Results   The results of this study show that mobile rapid prototyping repair equipment with quick removal and combination can help to settle the problems of the online repair of real ships; marine nitrogen can be used as the shielding gas, which is convenient and affordable; and the dust collection system module greatly reduces the pollution of equipment in prototyping repairing process.

  Conclusions   The developed quick removal and combination equipment for prototyping repair, which helps to realize "repair in case of damage" for ships under on-site conditions, can help to meet the requirements of accompanying support for spare ship equipment parts under actual combat conditions.