GE Aviation’s experiments with 3D printing resulted in fewer, lighter and cheaper components

Briefing

GE Aviation's experiments with 3D printing resulted in fewer, lighter and cheaper components

June 22, 2017

Briefing
  • 3D Printed Helicopter Engine – GE revealed that company experimented replicating parts of old commercial helicopter engine with 3D printing
  • Result – Printed half of machine, reducing 900 separate components to 14, with replicated parts becoming 40% lighter and 60% cheaper than original ones
  • Impact – Potentially eliminate 10 to 15 suppliers required for separate component parts, such as tolerances, nuts, bolts, welds and braces
  • Other Accomplishments – Include 3D printed LEAP fuel nozzle that is 25% lighter and more than five times durable as well as advance turboprop engine or ATP that resulted in reduced weight, fewer parts, improved fuel burn and more power

Accelerator
3D Printing

Business Model and Practices

Business Model
and Practices
Minimized Cost Structures, Optimized Supply Chain

Sector
Industrial Manufacturing, Information Technology, Transportation and Logistics

Organization
General Electrics Co.

Source

Original Publication Date
June 21, 2017

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