GE Additive has launched its Manufacturing Partner Network (MPN), with the aim of creating an open competitive market-place that will accelerate the supply of — and the demand for — additive manufacturing.

The first three Manufacturing Partners (MPs) to join the network are Burloak Technologies, Carpenter Technology Corporation and Proto Labs Inc. MPs are additive production partners that will help customers make additive parts in volume.

The MPN takes an ‘ecosystem approach’ to addressing several commercial challenges to ensure that the additive industry reaches its next ‘inflection point’.

As companies become ready to take the next step and move into volume production of additive parts, they are looking for cost-efficient scalable routes to volume production.

However, limited access to equipment, funding to invest and expertise often prevents them from taking the next critical steps. Additive-manufacturing suppliers are also seeking demand to build long-term business cases in order to invest, while OEMs need a guaranteed source of capacity, so they can continue to invest with confidence.

The MPN will add additional MPs in all regions, but it will remain a select group of additive-manufacturing specialists that — like Carpenter Technology — understand the capabilities and future of this technology.

GE Additive’s Customer Experience Centers in Munich and Pittsburg will continue to support customers with prototyping and low-volume production, while acting as a bridge to the MPN.

Jason Oliver, president and CEO of GE Additive, said: “We know first hand that the transition from prototyping to volume production is possibly the biggest step on any company’s additive journey, and that can be daunting.

The MPN is designed to give companies a range of options to help them progress and continue innovating by connecting them with a choice of trusted additive-production partners to give them peace of mind, in a cost-efficient way.”