Additive Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace

Additive manufacturing (AM) is disrupting the aerospace industry and accelerating the way parts are designed and manufactured. AM out-rivals traditional manufacturing because it allows production of lighter, more durable and more efficient designs for the aerospace industry.

Additive Manufacturing benefits for the Aerospace industry


Lower costs and simplified supply chains 
AM allows you to consolidate parts, which may reduce your supply sources and logistical costs.

Improved product performance
It has been shown that additive components and systems can outperform their traditional predecessors due to material and geometry flexibility.

Faster time to market 
High flexibility during development can significantly reduce time to market.

Faster cycle time 
Tooling elimination and manufacturing simplification can reduce cycle time up to 10x.

Flexible logistics  
Additive allows distributed manufacturing and on-demand product solutions.


 

Additive Manufacturing: Machine solutions the Aerospace industry

  1. Mlab
    DMLM

    Mlab

    Small, modular system designed for flexibility and unique geometries of smaller parts.
  2. Arcam EBM A2X
    EBM

    Arcam EBM A2X

    A perfect R&D machine with an open material strategy for testing and developing new parameters.
     
  3. Arcam EBM Q20Plus
    EBM

    Arcam EBM Q20Plus

    A great basic production machine for larger parts and higher temperature, more difficult materials.
  4. M2 Series 5
    DMLM

    M2 Series 5

    A system built for speed, M2 also has closed-loop material handling and key new technology features to drive top part quality.
     
  5. Spectra H
    EBM

    Spectra H

    One of our new 2018 machines, Spectra H is designed for high temperature applications. A large machine that can print an array of difficult materials, including TiAl, Spectra can serve applications previously unattainable.
  6. X LINE 2000R
    DMLM

    X LINE 2000R

    Built for serial production, the X LINE 2000R is the largest additive machine on the market and can seamlessly integrate into a multi-machine scenario.
  7. M LINE FACTORY
    DMLM

    M LINE FACTORY

    The latest in additive technology,  M line Factory is built upon a modular machine architecture which offers an unprecedented level of automation and innovation. Designed for high levels of serial production on an industrial scale, M line is the system to have to take full advantage of AM.

The LEAP fuel nozzle

Decades ago, it would have been unimaginable to envision the significant impact AM would have in the aerospace industry. At GE, our realization came from the ability to produce more complex internal designs that are lighter,  fewer parts and are more durable. 

Our journey started at GE Aviation with one part—the LEAP fuel nozzle. When developing the LEAP jet engine, a team of engineers set out to drastically improve the efficiency of the engine; the fuel nozzle played a significant role in this process.  Due to the intricate features and complicated geometries of the fuel nozzle, the engineers chose to harness the strength of AM in order to complete this goal. The engineers set out to make this a technology demonstrator, and in 2012, the first LEAP 3D fuel nozzle was produced through additive manufacturing. Today, the LEAP fuel nozzle powers planes that carry millions of passengers around the world. 

AP&C powders are ideal for additive technology

AP&C’s unique Advanced Plasma Atomization - APA™ produces highly spherical metal powder designed for excellent flowability and low porosity. AP&C is the leader in the production of Titanium and Nickel alloys. The high quality of AP&C's APA powders allows for more precise printing and batch-to-batch consistency. 

AddWorks™ helps our customers

AddWorks can help you identify the best approach to meet your complex business needs and offer a roadmap to success, regardless of where you are in the process.



 

Case studies

The Turbocharger: 3D Printing And Data Help This Engineer Design Parts For Planes At Warp Speed

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Atomize This: Metal Powder From This Canadian Plant Will Fire Up The 3D Printing Revolution

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The Blade Runners: This Factory Is 3D Printing Turbine Parts For The World’s Largest Jet Engine

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Discover new growth potential for your business

We’ll get to know your needs and priorities to help determine the machines and materials that can accelerate innovation in your business.