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posted by cmn32480 on Wednesday September 07 2016, @11:28AM   Printer-friendly
from the new-manufacturing-tech dept.

General Electric is thirsty for "complementary additive technology modalities":

GE, the US industrial jack-of-all-trades, has pledged to invest a whopping $1.4bn in two 3D printing suppliers to boost materials science and improve manufacturing capabilities. Arcam AB and SLM Solutions Group both specialise in metal-based 3D printing with applications ranging from aerospace to the healthcare industry. Both companies are part of GE's wider efforts to expand production and improve existing work on powder metals through the use of 3D printing.

Since 2010, GE has invested $1.5bn in 3D printing, leading to better manufacturing processes and 346 patents in the powdered metals field. [...] 3D printed components are reportedly lighter and more durable than traditionally manufactured parts as because they need less welding and produce less waste material.

Also at Reuters and Bloomberg.


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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 07 2016, @05:06PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 07 2016, @05:06PM (#398784)

    As noted, the home 3D printers use relatively simple, low-temp melted plastic deposition. Do we have any experts here who can predict the next technology that will be suitable for home use (and for which basic patents will run out soon)? It's hard to imagine a low cost laser sintering machine using metal powders...in a home shop...but maybe something like this is possible?

    Or maybe the development on the low end will be the ability to make higher quality parts and using higher melting point materials. For example, I've seen some commercially printed Nylon parts that were very nice and strong.