Velo3D and Aurelia partner on gas turbine AM development
Velo3D, Fremont, California, USA, and Aurelia Technologies, Katy, Texas, have announced a strategic partnership focused on the use of Additive Manufacturing in next-generation gas turbine systems.
Under the agreement, Aurelia will evaluate the use of metal Additive Manufacturing to simplify turbine designs, reduce part counts and improve component robustness in high-temperature operating environments. The company stated that the technology could enable the consolidation of multi-part assemblies into fewer integrated components, reducing the number of fasteners and joints while simplifying manufacturing and maintenance requirements.
“Additive Manufacturing allows us to simplify designs, reduce failure points and move faster while staying grounded in proven turbomachinery fundamentals and materials science,” stated Karol Hricisak, PE, Director of Technology at Aurelia Technologies.
The collaboration will initially focus on component feasibility studies, material and process development, and qualification activities using Velo3D’s Sapphire XC metal Additive Manufacturing machine. The companies stated that early work will assess opportunities to improve component performance, manufacturability and lead times across selected turbine components and alloy systems.
Article: Inside Nikon’s metal AM strategy
Part 2: Scaling industrial production in Long Beach
| Read now |
Aurelia also intends to use Additive Manufacturing to support its supply chain strategy by reducing dependence on long-lead-time forgings, tooling-intensive manufacturing processes and large inventory commitments. The company stated that the approach could improve responsiveness to design changes and customer demand while reducing working-capital requirements.
“Advanced energy systems are pushing the limits of traditional manufacturing,” stated Michelle Sidwell, Chief Revenue Officer at Velo3D. “Aurelia is taking an engineering-driven approach by designing with Additive Manufacturing in mind from the beginning, which is where the greatest impact can be realised.”
