Concept laser xline series#

The former, Philp explained, protects GE90 sensors from icing damage, but if it were to fail, he admitted the part would just need replacing and wouldn’t compromise the engine. Once there, Philp showed how the company has progressed from a sensor housing developed in 2015, its first FAA certified 3D printed part, to the more structural components of its Catalyst engine.

Concept laser xline series#

“A lot of our feedback helped develop the Series M2 machines.”įollowing a detailed safety briefing, journalists were then taken onto the factory floor to see GE’s cutting-edge additive manufacturing technologies for themselves. GE Additive have been very open to that,” Philp said ahead of the tour. “We have open conversations with them, but it’s important for everyone to get that feedback. The trip was led in part by ATC Site Leader Chris Philp, who explained how work carried out at the GE Aerospace-run complex helps inform the development of machines built at GE Additive. Photo by Paul Hanaphy.įirst up on GE’s tour was a visit to its Additive Technology Center (ATC), a colossal R&D center dedicated to the development of 3D printed aerospace parts, for production at one its numerous manufacturing facilities specializing in additive manufacturing, such as that in Auburn. GE Additive’s facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. While photography inside the firm’s development sites was strictly forbidden, attendees have been cleared to report on what they found, including the following breakdown of its latest R&D initiatives. So what ground-breaking innovation is GE cooking up next? Well fortunately, the company has invited 3D Printing Industry among a select few media outlets to two of its factories in Cincinnati, Ohio, to find out. This conservative reporting approach leaves open a number of questions about the potential of its technologies to meet the industrial applications that are often heralded as additive manufacturing’s future. However, GE may be one of the largest firms operating in the 3D printing space, but it rarely issues detailed updates on the progress of its activities there. Since first developing the part, GE has manufactured it over 140,000 times, an unprecedented feat in the aerospace 3D printing industry. The component, which became something of a poster child for aerospace 3D printing when it was unveiled, is designed to be 25% lighter and 15% more fuel efficient than CFM56 alternatives. Perhaps the best known of these is the fabled GE 3D printed fuel nozzle tip. Utilizing its acquired technologies, the firm has managed to develop ground-breaking end-use parts for its own GE90, GE9X and Catalyst engines, as well as the LEAP engine of CFM International, a joint venture it established with Safran Aircraft Engines. Over the last decade, GE has steadily built out its 3D printing capabilities, buying Morris Technologies, Arcam and Concept Laser along the way. GE’s aviation-focused manufacturing businesses GE Aerospace and GE Additive have laid out their vision for the future of industrial 3D printing via a tour around their US facilities. Who do you think should make the shortlists for this year’s show? Let us know by casting your vote now. Nominations for the 2022 3D Printing Industry Awards are now open.