Avio Aero begins AM part production for new Catalyst engine in Salento

August 7, 2019

News
August 7, 2019
Avio Aero begins AM part production for new Catalyst engine in Salento
GE Aviation’s Catalyst engine is thought to be the first turboprop engine in which almost 30% of the internal metal parts are additively manufactured (Courtesy GE Aviation)

GE Aviation business Avio Aero’s Additive Manufacturing plant in Brindisi, Italy, has officially begun the metal Additive Manufacturing of parts for the new GE Catalyst engine, used in the Cessna Denali light aircraft, reports the company’s in-house magazine, about. The new AM facility in Brindisi was inaugurated in December 2018, and specialises in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) Additive Manufacturing.

The Catalyst engine is believed to be the first turboprop engine in the world in which almost 30% of the internal metal parts are additively manufactured. Its first flight is expected to take place at the end of 2019. Up to ten components for the Catalyst will be produced at Brindisi by L-PBF, three of which are now in production.

The facility has three L-PBF systems from GE Additive Concept Laser in operation, as well as two dedicated post-processing systems. By the end of 2019, the machine fleet is expected to double, with the facility forecast to reach full capacity with a further fifteen machines installed between 2022–2023. Around three-hundred Catalyst engines are expected to be produced at the facility per year.

Speaking on the development of the facility in Brindisi, the production team’s Additive Manufacturing Leader, Dario Mantegazza, formerly employed at Avio Aero’s Cameri plant, stated, “When I was at Cameri, we facilitated the introduction of EBM technology to GE, as well as learning and coaching for industrialisation, and for the last couple of years, we have also been learning how to optimise and industrialise DMLM technology. Now we are finally ready to apply it in production for the first products.” 

www.avioaero.com 

News
August 7, 2019

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • Back to the future: A decade of Additive Manufacturing innovation and growth at Materials Solutions
  • Win or lose: A CEO’s reflections on Artificial Intelligence and Additive Manufacturing
  • AMS 2025 New York: A reality check for the Additive Manufacturing industry
  • Optimising powder removal in PBF-LB Additive Manufacturing: A Digital Twin approach
  • ValCUN’s MMD: A robust, wire-based aluminium AM technology for defence and industrial applications
  • Enhancing quality and reliability in metal Additive Manufacturing: The role of laser calibration

TRUSTED CONTENT. TARGETED AUDIENCE

Advertise with Metal AM and access a global base of 50,000+ AM professionals.

Contact Jon Craxford: [email protected]

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data

Don’t miss a thing – register for our newsletter

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Register now

Join 40,000+ other AM professionals – follow us online

About Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Metal AM magazine, published quarterly in digital and print formats, is read by a rapidly expanding international audience.

Our audience includes component manufacturers, end-users, materials and equipment suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

In addition to providing extensive industry news coverage, Metal AM magazine is known for exclusive, in-depth articles and technical reports.

Our focus is the entire metal AM process from design to application.

Each issue is available as an easy-to-navigate digital edition and a high-quality print publication.

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap