GE Expands Additive Manufacturing with New Factory

If you were tasked with pointing out one company for which an investment in additive manufacturing (AM) has changed its business, you could do worse than pointing at GE. To date, GE has at least six facilities partially dedicated to exploring advanced manufacturing technologies, such as AM. According to GE, it will build around 100,000 parts with AM by 2020, with the help of over 300 AM systems.

Having already invested heavily in 3D printing, why not go all in? GE has announced its intention to build an AM facility just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. The project represents a $32 million investment, and will act as a center to help the company develop and implement new uses for AM across the many branches of GE. 

“Advanced manufacturing is driving a profound change in industry and at GE,” said Dan Heintzelman, GE vice chairman. “It is how we will compete and win in the future. We can more efficiently invent and build products for our customers, while driving better margins for our investors. This new facility is crucial for bringing advanced manufacturing technology to all our businesses.”

GE has already begun to reap some rewards for its investments in AM with the LEAP nozzle and the stage 7 blades for the low pressure turbine inside the GEnx jet engine. In addition, a $75 million investment in the GE Aviation facility located in Rutland, VT, has resulted in, according to the company, more than $300 million in engine production savings.

The Pennsylvania facility represents the second major construction site for advanced manufacturing announced this year, joining a 300,000 sq. ft. factory in Auburn, AL. GE continues to lead the way for other manufacturers to follow with its adoption of AM. Below you’ll find a video about the LEAP nozzles made with AM.

Source: GE