GE Global Research joins 3MF consortium
February 3, 2016
The 3MF Consortium, an industry association created to develop and promote a new file format for Additive Manufacturing, has announced that GE Global Research has now joined the group. Launched in 2015, the 3MF Consortium is a Joint Development Foundation project with the goal to define a software format that will allow design applications to send full-fidelity 3D models to a mix of other applications, platforms, services and printers.
Scientists and engineers at GE have developed a number of additively manufactured components made with metals and ceramics. The company currently has production AM parts in two different jet engine platforms and is the world’s largest user of metal Additive Manufacturing technologies.
“With the successful integration of 3D printed metal parts in two different jet engine platforms and the construction of GE Aviation’s $50 million state-of-the-art high-volume additive production plant in Auburn, Alabama, we achieved major milestones with our additive program in 2015,” stated Prabhjot Singh, Manager of the Additive Manufacturing Lab at GE Global Research. “But we have only scratched the surface on additive’s potential. With even better design tools, machines and new materials, we can dramatically expand the additive industry’s footprint in manufacturing. That future will arrive faster through the strong ecosystem that 3MF is building to bring the right stakeholders together to accelerate new innovations and breakthroughs in this space.”
“GE Global Research is a recognised leader with real-world experience using 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing to drive innovation,” stated Adrian Lannin, 3MF Consortium Executive Director. “We look forward to working with GE Global Research to enrich the 3MF standard and create new opportunities for both 3D printing and the additive manufacturing ecosystem.”
The 3MF Consortium was formed to close the gap between the capabilities of modern 3D printers and outdated file formats. The 3MF specification eliminates the problems associated with currently available file formats, resolving interoperability and functionality issues, and enabling companies to focus more on innovation. The first version of the 3MF specification is available to download at no charge.
