GE Additive seeks to certify new Additive Manufacturing production partners
GE Additive has announced that it is actively selecting companies to become certified additive production centres for its customers. The company has stated that it is working to certify several companies by the end of 2017, creating a network of additive production capabilities across many industries and regions.
The announcement follows a similar agreement in June 2017, where GE Additive signed a MoU with Oerlikon, Switzerland, making Oerlikon a GE Additive preferred (non-exclusive) component manufacturer.
“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.”
Each certified production partner will operate additive machines from Concept Laser and Arcam, use additive material from AP&C and benefit from orthopaedic best practices developed at DTI. The centres will be held to the highest quality standards and will receive guidance and advice from GE’s additive design and manufacturing experts – enabling them to deliver world-class additive parts and service, the company stated.
For many years, GE has been a leading end-user and innovator in the Additive Manufacturing space, investing approximately $1.5 billion in advanced manufacturing and additive technologies over the past ten years. In 2016, the company established GE Additive to become a leading supplier of additive technology, materials and services for industries and businesses worldwide, investing $1.4 billion in Concept Laser and Arcam.
