Aerospace giant GE Aviation intends to expand its additive manufacturing business at its Auburn plant with a capital investment of $ 50 million.
It is understood that the Division will add 60 jobs and install advanced fully new materials manufacturing machines, which will enable the plant to begin mass production of a second aircraft engine component-this is the bracket for the GEnx-2B engine project. It is understood that this will be the second 3D printed aircraft engine part manufactured at the Auburn plant. The first aircraft component the plant took over was a gas nozzle end of a LEAP jet engine. Since the factory was established in 2015, the team has produced a total of 30,000 gas nozzle tips. The Auburn Plant was the first to use 3D printing technology to mass produce jet engine components.
Ricardo Acevedo, head of GE Aviation's Auburn plant, said: "We are very excited about this new investment. This shows that our hard work to promote additive manufacturing is recognized and recognized."
Greg Canfield, Alabama's Secretary of Commerce, said: "Additive manufacturing technology has revolutionized manufacturing in many industries, and GE Aviation is driving this change in the aerospace industry. We welcome GE's expansion of its additive manufacturing business in Auburn. This will undoubtedly strengthen Alabama's position as a new generation manufacturing technology port. "
In 2018, GE Aviation opened a $ 200 million facility in Huntsville, the first unique material production center in the United States to manufacture ceramic-based composites.