Oerlikon and GE Additive sign MoU for Additive Manufacturing collaboration
June 21, 2017
Oerlikon, Pfäffikon, Schwyz, Switzerland, has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GE Additive to collaborate on accelerating the industrialisation of Additive Manufacturing.
The five-year agreement between Oerlikon and GE specifies the provision of additive machines and services by GE to Oerlikon, and Oerlikon becoming a preferred AM component manufacturer and materials supplier to GE Additive and its affiliated companies. Further, GE and Oerlikon will collaborate on research and development in additive machines and materials over the period of the agreement. The MoU, announced at the Paris Air Show, includes GE Additive affiliated companies Concept Laser and Arcam AB.
Dr Roland Fischer, CEO of the Oerlikon Group, stated, “Developing innovative technology is key to our growth strategy and a distinct advantage Oerlikon brings to customers. Partnering with GE Additive, Concept Laser and Arcam AB on innovative AM materials and machines will strengthen both companies’ positions in Additive Manufacturing, and allows us to meet the growing demand for additive components, materials and services in many industries.”
Vice President and General Manager of GE Additive, Mohammad Ehteshami, added, “GE Additive and Oerlikon both understand the transformative power of additive manufacturing. As the adoption rate of AM grows rapidly, it is through strategic partnerships that we can push forward the uptake of AM in industries, and we’re proud to partner with Oerlikon.”
In recent years GE has been a leading end user and innovator in Additive Manufacturing. In addition to the $1.4 billion investment in Concept Laser and Arcam AB, GE has also invested approximately $1.5 billion in manufacturing and additive technologies over the past ten years.
GE has developed additive applications across six of its businesses, created new service applications across the company and earned 346 patents in material science. In 2016, the company established GE Additive to become a leading supplier of additive technology, materials and services for industries and businesses worldwide.
Oerlikon is an AM market leader with extensive expertise in advanced materials, AM production, post-processing and surface solutions. In 2016, Oerlikon acquired citim GmbH to complement its additive production capabilities in Europe and the USA. Oerlikon is also building a state-of-the-art AM powder production facility in Plymouth, Michigan, USA, an R&D and production facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, and an R&D and innovation centre in Munich, Germany.
