GE Additive has been working on a new high speed 3D printer, code-named H1, that uses binder jet technology and is aimed at serial part production.
It’s designed to print large parts with a range of materials, including stainless steel, nickel and iron alloys. The idea is that it will be cost-effective to print the parts directly, thereby cutting out the need for castings and the associated tooling, moulds and other infrastructure.
Mohammad Ehteshami, vice president and general manager of GE Additive explained: “We see great demand for binder jet technology in the aerospace and automotive sectors. We are committed to accelerating the additive manufacturing industry and will continue to build on our strength in the laser and EBM modalities by developing and bringing new technologies to market.”
He added: “We have a progressive approach to innovation and product development. I challenged the team to develop this new machine in 55 days. They came in ahead of time with the process of concept to first print taking only 47 days.”
This follows hard on the heels of the first machine from GE Additive’s Atlas project that was shown at the Formnext show as well as the announcement of Concept Laser’s new 3D Campus being built in Germany.
The final version of the H1 should be ready to ship by the middle of 2018.
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