GE Additive expands to Binder Jetting technology and introduces the new Series 3 metal 3D printer

GE Additive intends to introduce a new product line of 3D metal printing based on the Binder Jetting technology. Work on the technology and future products has been planned for four years and this time is slowly coming to an end. Deliveries of the first Series 3 3D printers are expected to begin in the second half of 2023 and are expected to be suitable for modern high-volume metal mass production environments.

Over the last four years, a selected group of strategic partners of the company has contributed to the development of the GE Additive Binder Jet technology platform. The Series 3 Binder Jet Line can produce additively complex, small and large parts – reproducibly and reliably, with unique material properties. According to GE, they surpass in terms of quality their counterparts made of castings, with achievable diameters of through holes and wall thicknesses below 500 μm.

GE’s Binder Jet technology proves it is capable of successfully printing and sintering large parts that meet dimensional and resolution tolerances for production, with proven capability for parts weighing up to 25kg in stainless steel and with no known maximum limitations. thickness of the wall.

The Binder Jet Line also enables:

• creating complex parts without destroying small parts at the same time, thanks to GE’s patented adhesive systems
• sintering parts to the desired tolerances, which is partly possible thanks to the GE Additive Amp software for predicting distortions and the possibility of compensation
• creating high-quality casting parts in a much faster time than traditional manufacturing methods
• 3D printing and sintering of parts with low surface roughness.

GE Additive aims to make industrial additive metal production an economical process, therefore profitability is a key factor in the Binder Jet line. Part of this calculation involves comparing costs with conventional manufacturing technologies in terms of tolerance and cost, from raw material to final part (Total Cost of Ownership – not just machines).

Other cost-effectiveness benefits include:

• less expenditure on raw materials thanks to the recycling of unused powder and the use of cheaper material compared to other powder bed technologies
• open space for new applications and innovations
• use of the entire working space, top to bottom, edge to edge, without the need for supports
• the possibility of introducing new, innovative parts, the production of which is too expensive or difficult to manufacture using conventional or other existing additive technologies.

GE’s Binder Jet line offers high overall equipment efficiency (OEE), automation readiness, anticipates distortion and offers materials with properties that meet and exceed industry standards. All of this meets the goal of lowest total cost of ownership in the production of metallic additives.

Based on information from customers and partners in the technology development phase, GE Additive focuses on enabling the possible implementation of 40, 50, 100+ machine installations that will ensure consistent process quality while minimizing operator contact with equipment and materials.

Other economies of scale include:

• 3D printing up to 100 times faster than other additive manufacturing methods
• Automation-ready technology that drives high productivity.

The Jet Line Binder can be installed and operated without the need to define hazard zones and has been designed so that the operator has minimal contact with the system and metal powders.

The system will be UL certified and CE certified, having a 100% inert and sealed working environment, and is designed to be compatible with reactive and flammable powders and binders.

Other security benefits include:

• zero operator exposure to powder
• a fully independent and real-time safety system on board that constantly monitors the condition of the machine
• OPC UA data streaming in real time for integration with factory MES and security systems.

Source: GE Additive press materials