Dec 22, 2015 | By Kira
Metal additive manufacturing provider Arcam may have just announced its bid to set up shop in the American aerospace and medical 3D printing markets, but demand for its proprietary Electron Beam Melting (EBM) technology is stronger than ever in the EU. Turin, Italy-based Avio Aero, an aerospace parts manufacturer and subsidiary of GE Aviation, has today placed an order for ten new Arcam EBM metal 3D printing systems in order to move into series production of state of the art turbine blades. The order will effectively double Avio Aero’s current Arcam EBM machine capacity, and is the largest single order ever for Arcam EBM systems.
Based in Stockholm, Sweden with subsidiaries in Canada and the US, Arcam provides cost-efficient additive manufacturing solutions for metal components, particularly in the aerospace and medical orthopedics industries. The company is most known for its EBM technology, a process whereby metal powders are melted by a high power electron beam, building up full dense metal components layer by layer.
According to the company, its EBM technology offers cost reduction, shorter lead times, and new design possibilities for aerospace parts manufacturing, with EMB applications found in “basically all segments, such as commercial and military aircraft, space applications, missiles and various subsystems like engines and accessories.” The Arcam Q20 3D printer system was designed with a larger build frame in order to accommodate aerospace components such as turbine blades and structural airframe components. Avio Aero has been using EBM technology for several years.
“These machines will be vital to move to series production of turbine blades. Arcam is the leading supplier of titanium alloy additive manufacturing systems and we again turned to them with confidence, having used their products for years", said Giacomo Vessia, Plant Leader at Avio Aero.
"This is the largest single order ever for Arcam EBM systems. The deal confirms the potential of the Arcam EBM technology as a volume production system for the aerospace industry. We truly look forward to supporting Avio Aero in their turbine blade manufacturing”, said Magnus René, CEO of Arcam.
Additive manufacturing is being increasingly sought out by aerospace companies worldwide as it significantly reduces the time required to develop and manufacture high-value parts in complex metal alloys for aerospace and space applications. Thanks to advancements in new 3D printing materials and processes, these parts are also lighter, faster, and safer than ever before.
GE Aviation, which acquired Avio Aero in 2013, has also been very active on the metal 3D printing scene. In this past year alone, the company has had one of their 3D printed components cleared by the FAA for use in commercial jet engines, and it is on-track to open its $32 million additive manufacturing research center in Pennsylvania by 2016.
Posted in 3D Printer Company
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