The global aerospace market, as many people know who have worked in it, is a network of inter-dependent manufacturers & suppliers. Much different than something like the automotive industry. Your customer can also be a supplier and possibly even a competitor to boot.
It's strange and a bit like the old joke about two porcupines making love.
"Big manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing Co., General Electric Co., Daimler AG and Siemens AG are already printing metal parts, many with forms inspired by nature."
I am confident that GE can not strategically hoard EBM technology.
They can't tell their largest engine customers that they won't supply them with machines. This would also include other suppliers that Airbus & Boeing want to have utilizing EBM technology to fabricate Airbus & Boeing components.(I believe some of which already do). That may also include any "patented" powder.
A significant benefit of AM is reduced turnaround time for replacement parts. Eventually, Maintenance Repair & Overhaul facilities in major hubs globally will need to have machines on-site to service GE engines and other Airbus & Boeing plane components reducing lost revenue from planes otherwise not in service. That ability alone will give GE a huge market advantage.
All of this has been mentioned before but thought it worth repeating.
