GKN Aerospace (
www.gkn.com) and Saab (
www.saab.com) are celebrating one year of collaboration in additive manufacturing (AM).
The partnership has already resulted in the delivery and certification of AM components now flying on Saab aircraft. These parts have been produced using metallic powder-bed technology at GKN’s Centre of Excellence in Filton, UK.
Future developments will push the boundaries of the AM processes by introducing new materials and designs, while simultaneously continuing to reduce production lead times and costs.
John Pritchard, GKN Aerospace’s CEO of Aerostructures (Europe and China), said: “Historically, the challenge for AM was to move it from theory into production, fully certified and flying on major platforms, but we are now well past that stage.
Today, AM is out there and flying on aircraft around the world. I am confident that our partnership will push the boundaries of this technology further in the years to come.”
GKN Aerospace has seven global Centres of Excellence in AM, providing expertise from fine-scale deposition to large-scale laser wire capabilities.
The company has polymer and metallic AM parts flying on seven major platforms in multiple markets: commercial, military, rotorcraft and space. GKN also specialises in the production of metal powder for AM.