GE Additive unveils first BETA machine from its Project Atlas program
November 14 2017 - 5:30AM
Business Wire
Bringing scalable, customizable innovation to additive
manufacturing
- Scalable, meter-class, laser powder-bed
fusion BETA machine represents significant innovation breakthrough
for metal powder additive manufacturing sector
- Built to allow manufacturers of large
parts and components configure and customize to their own unique
requirements
- Developed in just nine months as part
of Project A.T.L.A.S innovation program, machines to be
manufactured in Lichtenfels, Germany and Cincinnati, Ohio
GE Additive today unveiled the first BETA machine developed as
part of its Project A.T.L.A.S program. The meter-class, laser
powder-bed fusion machine has been developed to provide
manufacturers of large parts and components with a scalable
solution that can be configured and customized to their own
specific industry applications.
Project A.T.L.A.S (Additive Technology Large Area System) is GE
Additive’s company-wide program to develop the next generation
large additive machines. This first BETA machine was developed in
just nine months and complements the company’s existing portfolio
of products.
Ideally suited to industries that require large complex metal
parts, such as aviation, automotive, space and oil and gas
industries, the new BETA machine builds on technology previously
developed by GE, combined with Concept Laser’s expertise in laser
additive machines. The first few BETA machines are currently being
evaluated by a small group of customers and more are available for
delivery in 2018.
“Irrespective of industry, every customer has its own specific
needs and its own unique levels of complexity. We regularly hear
that next-generation machines need to be customizable and
configurable. The new meter-class machine we’re debuting at
formnext is our response to that feedback - a solution that is
scalable and customizable and meets the needs of our industry, as
it matures,” said Mohammad Ehteshami Vice President and General
Manager of GE Additive.
The machine’s feature resolution and build rate speeds are
better than machines available today and has a scalable
architecture that can increase the ‘Z’ axis to 1.0M and beyond.
Well-suited for large components with high resolution and
complex geometries, such as aerospace-class parts, the machine
incorporates the latest laser technology - and the ability to be
reconfigured to incorporate additional lasers – as well as discrete
dosing to save on powder and cost.
Key features of this first, new machine - on show at formnext -
include:
- Build volume: 1.1 x 1.1 x 0.3M
(x,y,z)
- Gantry-based architecture
- The latest 1kW laser
- 3D scanner translates with laser
- Discrete dosing
- Optimal air flow over the print
area
- Best-in-class feature resolution
- Process and machine health monitoring
(enabled by Predix software – GE’s cloud-based operating
system)
“Bringing innovation and technologies to market in just nine
months demonstrates exactly what we mean by accelerating the
additive manufacturing industry. Our Project A.T.L.A.S is one way
we are helping our customers be more efficient and nimble as the
sector matures,” said Frank Herzog, founder and CEO, Concept Laser.
“This demonstrates what’s possible when we combine the strength of
Concept Laser with GE.”
For many years, GE has been a leading end user and innovator in
the additive manufacturing space. In addition to the $1.4 billion
investment in Concept Laser and Arcam, GE has also invested
approximately $1.5 billion in manufacturing and additive
technologies over the past 10 years, developed additive
applications across all GE businesses, created new services
applications across the company, and earned hundreds of patents in
material science. In 2016, the company established GE Additive to
become a leading supplier of additive technology, materials and
services for industries and businesses worldwide.
Editor’s Note:
formnext 2017 is an annual trade show for the additive
manufacturing industry and this year runs from 14-17 November in
Frankfurt, Germany. GE Additive is located at booth E30 in Hall
3.
About GE Additive
GE Additive is part of GE (NYSE: GE) - the world’s Digital
Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined
machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and
predictive. GE Additive includes additive machine providers Concept
Laser and ArcamEBM; along with additive material provider AP&C
and additive service provider to the medical industry, DTI. As a
notable user of additive technologies GE recognize the value and
potential it brings to modern design and manufacturing. GE is
organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store,"
through which each business shares and accesses the same
technology, resources and intellect. GE delivers better outcomes
for customers by speaking the language of industry.
www.geadditive.com
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EMG for GE AdditiveKristóf Kovacs+31 164 317
025kkovacs@emg-pr.com
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