GKN will install two Arcam Q20 machines to help create next generation of EBM equipment.
GKN Aerospace has announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with additive manufacturing specialist, Arcam AB, to develop and industrialise the electron beam melting process.
Designed to meet the needs of the expanding future aerospace market, EBM is a process where metal components are created layer by layer by fusing metal powder with a powerful electron beam to create small to medium sized high precision, complex parts.
As part of this agreement, GKN Aerospace has ordered two ARCAM Q20 EBM machines to be installed at the company’s additive manufacturing centre in Bristol. GKN Aerospace and ARCAM engineers will combine their expertise to power the next generation of EBM equipment for the manufacture of complex titanium structures to meet future demand of the aerospace market.
“Our aim has been to fully understand how EBM can be applied to our future aerostructures and aero engines portfolio,” Russ Dunn, Senior Vice President Engineering & Technology, GKN Aerospace explained. “Through this new strategic partnership with ARCAM our combined additive manufacturing teams will now take the next steps towards fully industrialising this AM technology.
We believe the array of processes that fall under the ‘additive’ umbrella will revolutionise manufacturing across every industrial sector - particularly in aerospace where cost, weight and performance are critical. Drawing on GKN Powder Metallurgy’s experience and our own extensive aerospace expertise we aim to develop a roadmap that will industrialise additive manufacturing for this sector.”
The agreement forms part of the GKN group’s major additive manufacturing research and development initiative which includes four dedicated global AM development centres in North America and Europe focused on progressing specific AM technologies.
Magnus René, CEO, Arcam added: “We are now very happy to announce this order and important partnership with GKN Aerospace. We are convinced that the close collaboration with GKN Aerospace will be key for further industrialization of our EBM technology in the aerospace industry”
