GE Additive has said it is looking to certify several companies to create a network of additive production centres for its customers by the end of the year.
Each certified production partner will utilise components and services from GE Additive’s company portfolio — operating additive machines from recently acquired firms Concept Laser and Arcam, using additive material provided by AP&C and benefiting from orthopaedic practices developed at additive service provider DTI. The centres will each be held to GE’s standard of quality and will receive guidance and advice from its additive design and manufacturing experts.
‘We [GE Additive] are not currently in the business of making additive parts for other companies,’ said Mohammad Ehteshami, vice president and general manager for GE Additive. ‘We want to accelerate additive manufacturing by providing machines, materials and engineering consultancy services to them. However, we do recognise that there is a huge demand for additive parts, so we feel that setting up these certified production centres will allow us to meet the growing demand for additive components.’
Overall GE has invested approximately $1.5 billion in manufacturing and additive technologies at its Global Research Center (GRC) over the past 10 years, and has developed additive applications across six of its businesses.
During the Paris Air Show in June, GE Additive signed an MoU with Oerlikon of Switzerland, which included an agreement for Oerlikon to become a GE Additive preferred, non-exclusive component manufacturer.
The company also recently announced the ongoing two-year development of a large laser-powder additive manufacturing machine for the production of aircraft parts.
