GE Additive (www.ge.com/additive) has unveiled the first beta AM machine developed as part of its Project ATLAS (Additive Technology Large Area System) programme.

The laser powder-bed fusion machine has been designed to give manufacturers of large parts and components a scalable solution that can be configured and customised to their own applications.

Project ATLAS is GE Additive’s company-wide programme to develop the next generation of large additive machines. This first beta machine was developed in just nine months, and a small number are now being evaluated by customers.

According to GE Additive, which has its UK headquarters in Warwick, the machine’s feature a resolution and build rate that are better than other machines available today, while the scalable gantry-type architecture means that the Z axis can be increased to 1m (and beyond).

The machine can also be reconfigured to incorporate additional lasers, if required, as well as discrete dosing to save on powder and cost.