The first four machines will be installed at GE Aviation’s Additive Technology Center (ATC) in Ohio, while a fifth will be installed at Avio Aero’s site in Turin, Italy.
They include an increase to the build envelope by 54% to 500 mm x 500 mm x 400 mm following tests with GE Aviation.
GE Additive and GE Aviation have also partnered to ‘lock down’ the materials parameters for aluminum, cobalt chrome and nickel alloy 718.
“The time and work we have collectively invested with our GE Additive colleagues to define, shape and then iron out the specification and functionality of the M Line means we now have a scalable solution that can build large components in a high-volume production environment, while meeting our cost entitlement goals,” said Chris Philp, site leader for GE Aviation’s ATC.
Two 3D printers will process aluminum alloy, and one each of the two other machines will cover cobalt chrome and nickel alloy 718, GE said.
“Our goal is to realize the aviation additive industry’s first automation-ready production environment,” said Benito Trevino, general manager at GE Aviation. “Once installed, we envisage that our multi-machine approach, with the M Line platform at the heart of production, will help us reduce our lead and print times by over 50%.”
