Metal additive can provide fleet readiness

An uncertain world with a complex threat matrix requires advanced platforms with modern supply chains. Whether on the ground or in the air, sea or space, additive is the game-changing technology you need for more-capable military products. Now, the ready are evaluating how additive can yield benefits like organic sustainment and increased fleet readiness.

Realize ROI with metal additive

To stay at the forefront, you have to radically change the way you design and build combat air systems, combat vehicles, complex surface ships and more. Additive is the game-changing technology you need to build faster, more-survivable military products. Now, the ready are evaluating how additive can drive improved sustainment and fleet readiness. 

Download our playbook Building the Business Case: Identifying Criteria to Measure ROI for Additive Manufacturing, in which we outline four steps to create a comprehensive business case and move to production – faster.

Case study

US Air Force to 3D print parts for fighter planes

  • The US Air Force wanted to gain the capability and capacity of metal AM as rapidly as possible to improve readiness and sustainability.
  • The US Air Force explored how to quickly eliminate the associated risks of castings and how metal additive might replace castings for those parts that are either no longer in production or where they need smaller production runs to keep their platforms flying.
  • Concept Laser M2 machines running cobalt chrome were used for the first builds of additively manufactured sump covers. 

Repair and restoration

Precise repair and restoration are critical in the maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) industry as it ensures end-of-life products are returned to as-new condition. Traditional repair processes are manual and time-consuming. 

Advantages of AM:

• Increases efficiency while maintaining quality 
• Saves time and costs 
• Enables on-demand production 

Supply Chain

Additive can help optimize manufacturing processes and streamline the larger supply chain. Shorten lead times and reduce costs by additively manufacturing hard-to-find and low-volume parts on-demand. 

Advantages of AM:

• Reduces lead time
• Lowers expenditures
• Enables mass customization
• Extends product life span
• Streamlines the supply chain

Our machine solutions

Our experts will help you find the right machine type for your military and defense application.

  1. Arcam EBM Q20plus
    EBM

    Arcam EBM Q20plus

    For cost-efficient production of large, distortion-free military and defense components
  2. Arcam EBM Spectra H
    EBM

    Arcam EBM Spectra H

    Effective high-temperature production of crack-prone materials for large, high-integrity parts
  3. Concept Laser M2 Series 5
    DMLM

    Concept Laser M2 Series 5

    Enabling consistent and repeatable part quality at scale
  4. Concept Laser X Line 2000R
    DMLM

    Concept Laser X Line 2000R

    Print large parts safely, efficiently, and consistently
  5. Binder Jet
    Binder Jet

    Binder Jet

    Accurate and repeatable, our Binder Jet Line solution is ideal for mass production, enabling speed and productivity and requiring no support structures.

Industry benefits

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

Improved product performance
Additive components and systems can outperform their traditional predecessors with respect to material properties and performance-oriented designs that are less constrained by traditional manufacturing limitations.

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.

Powders

We’ve carefully developed our powders to seamlessly fit into the entire GE Additive ecosystem and provide total compatibility with our machines. We provide metal powder, process settings and support for these materials ideal for the aerospace industry:

  • Stainless steels
  • Maraging steel 
  • Aluminums
  • Nickel alloys
  • Titanium 
  • Cobalt chrome

GE Additive's AddWorks

Wherever you are on your path to full metal additive production, our team is ready to help you bring new innovation to market faster.

What are our Workshops? 
Learn foundational knowledge and additive strategies in a classroom environment. Workshops typically run three to five days.

What are the Application Sprints? 
Get comprehensive support anywhere on your path to production with workshops and training, and/or hands-on consulting with GE’s AddWorks experts.