Cummins becomes one of the first customers to invest in GE’s Binder Jet technology
April 18, 2019
GE’s Binder Jet system, the H2, is in its beta-stage (Courtesy GE Additive)
Cummins Inc., Columbus, Indiana, USA, is set to expand its Additive Manufacturing capabilities by implementing GE Additive’s new, high-precision Binder Jetting AM technology. Cummins, a global corporation of business units which design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions, is one of the first customers to invest in GE’s Binder Jet technology, which is called the H2 and is in its beta-stage.
According to the company, this investment will support its plan to develop its manufacturing processes, and it will initially focus on additively manufacturing low-volume parts as it investigates the best way to use AM technology in higher volume manufacturing.
“By investing in 3D metal additive technologies from GE Additive, we are investing in Cummins and our customers,” stated Tim Millwood, Vice President of Global Manufacturing at Cummins Inc. “This technology has the potential to provide our customers with a quicker, lower-cost production method that ultimately uses less energy, which means we can better serve our customers and reduce our environmental impact.”
Cummins recently sold its first metal additively manufactured part, produced on a GE Additive Concept Laser M2 system. The company currently has two Concept Laser M2 machines; one is installed at the Cummins Technical Center in Columbus, Indiana, USA, and the other, along with two further machines, is installed at the Cummins Research and Development Center in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Cummins is a strategic partner for GE Additive, which revealed the first prototype of its Binder Jet system, then called the H1, in December 2017. The company is now quickly scaling its Binder Jet technology, first into pilot lines, then into a complete, industrialised factory solution – expected to be commercially available in early 2021.With the addition of GE’s Binder Jet technology, Cummins expects to be able to additively manufacture medium to large sized complex parts at high throughput and at a comparatively lower cost.
“In early 2019, we launched the beta testing and partner programme and deliberately sought out partners and key customers, like Cummins, who are committed to mass production,” stated Jake Brunsberg, Binder Jet Product Line Leader at GE Additive. “As Cummins celebrates its 100th year, it remains steadfast in its commitment to being at the cutting edge of innovation. Above all, we want to partner with companies whose businesses and customers will benefit tremendously from Binder Jet technologies.”
Cummins’ Binder Jet systems are reportedly located at GE Additive’s laboratory in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. It’s expected that teams from Cummins will be co-located at the lab to work on technology development before the Binder Jet system is relocated to one of its the company’s facilities later this year.
