GKN plc (www.gkn.com) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GE Additive (www.geadditive.com), Concept Laser and Arcam AB to collaborate on additive manufacturing (AM).

Under the agreement, GKN becomes a GE Additive development and production centre, as well as a preferred powder supplier, while GE and its affiliated companies will supply additive machines and services to GKN.

Jos Sclater, head of strategy at GKN, said: “We look forward to collaborating with GE Additive on this revolutionary technology. GKN has a strong history of producing and certifying AM parts and powder, and this distinctive dual expertise enables us to create competitive solutions for our customers.

“By working together, GKN and GE can accelerate future developments in AM and meet the growing demand that we’re seeing across a range of industries.”

Mohammad Ehteshami, vice-president and general manager of GE Additive, said: “GE Additive and GKN both understand the transformative power that AM will have for a range of industries. Additive machines from Concept Laser and Arcam will bring tremendous value to this relationship, and we look forward to collaborating more closely in the future.”

Parts made by AM — also known as 3-D printing — are typically lighter, more durable and more efficient than traditional cast or forged parts, because they can be made as one piece, requiring fewer welds, joints and assembly operations; and because AM parts are essentially ‘grown’ from the ground up, they generate far less waste material.

Furthermore, AM dramatically expands the design possibilities for engineers, as it frees them from traditional manufacturing restrictions.

GKN, which has more than 150 manufacturing locations in over 30 countries, has been a global leader in AM for decades, with aerospace components produced, certified and currently flying on seven major ‘platforms’; the company is also a world-leader in AM automotive parts and a specialist powder producer.

In addition to the $1.4 billion investment in Concept Laser and Arcam, GE has also invested about $1.5 billion in manufacturing and additive technologies over the past 10 years, developed additive applications across six GE businesses and been granted 346 patents in material science.

In 2016, the company formed GE Additive — now a leading supplier of additive technology, materials and services for industries and businesses world-wide.