Metal 3D printing is used for mass production and has been verified at GE Aviation. As long as it is used in the right place, 3D printing can fully reflect its value.
On October 8, 2018, GE Aviation Plant celebrated the successful shipment of its 30,000th 3D printed fuel nozzle last week. The nozzle is installed in GE's LEAP jet engine and has been produced at the plant since 2018, marking an important milestone in large-scale additive manufacturing production.
Ricardo Acevedo, plant director of General Electric Airlines Auburn, commented: "This milestone involves more than the production of 30,000 fuel nozzle heads. The team should also be proud of their role, they are providing customers in high volumes Proof of the role of additive manufacturing technology in production. "
GE LEAP Engine
The development of LEAP 3D printed fuel nozzles preceded the establishment of GE Additive and GE's acquisition of Concept Laser and Arcam.
In fact, the fuel nozzle is eligible to be manufactured on the EOS M 250 DMLS 3D printer. It was originally produced for the company by Morris Technologies, an advanced and additive manufacturing service provider, acquired by GE Aviation in 2012.
Following the 2016 Nozzle Flight certification, LEAP engine orders totaled more than 14,000 at the 2017 Paris Air Show. It is reported that this number now exceeds 16,300 orders. LEAP is a new-generation aero engine developed by CFM, a 50% joint venture funded by GE and France's Safran Group. It has better fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. , Airbus A320, and China's C919 single-aisle passenger aircraft. In 2014, due to the use of 3D fuel nozzles, its performance has been further improved (more efficient mixing and injection of fuel), and this is one of the important reasons why it has received such favor at the Paris Air Show .
40 metal 3D printers for production
GE Aviation Auburn currently operates more than 40 metal 3D printers for parts production. The facility covers 300,000 square feet and has 230 employees, which will soon reach 300 in 2019.
GE Additive Technology Center
Each LEAP engine produced by GE includes 19 3D printed fuel nozzles. As a result, Alabama's 30,000th 3D printed fuel nozzle increased the facility's total number of satisfying engines to approximately 1,578.
Acevedo concluded: "We are leading the way in additive manufacturing at scale. We are always looking for ways to expand our business possibilities."
GE LEAP Fuel Nozzle, GE Additive
In addition to the aviation industry, GE also applies additive manufacturing to all of its business units.
GE Power's largest and most efficient gas turbine, nicknamed HARriet, broke its own net efficiency record with 3D printed components.
In the medical field, GE is applying Concept Laser DMLM to the development of innovative surgical equipment such as endocon endoCupcut.