Arcam AB fka AMAVF

[Tom Joad]

Concept Laser, Arcam, materials.

Concept Laser and Arcam have processes that go beyond sintering and fully melt metal powders so the parts are as close to fully dense and near net shape as possible. I do not know if Concept Laser and SLM builds are at least as fully dense as parts produced in cast-machine methods but Arcam's is. Sintered parts will not do, they cannot produce fully dense parts nor get as close as Concept Laser, Arcam, and SLM.

Concept Laser M3 Linear

I do not know how much work GE has ahead to obtain FAA approval with Concept Laser produced parts. It may be very little as SLM also uses a laser melt, not sinter, process. GE has or is near FAA approval for Arcam produced parts for engines they are promising. The level of GE's committment is shown in research that lead to prototypes like this-

3d Printed Mini-Jet Engine

and products for the market like this-

GE builds 3D printing factory in Prague, to 3D print engine parts for next-gen Cessna Denali

That looks like it has a completion date of 2022, but that really isn't so far away.

Arcam is the only company that uses an electron beam to melt metal powders to produce metal parts that have met FAA approval, and Arcam has the only process that generates TiAl parts with the microstructure optimized for low pressure turbine blades. No laser process can do what Arcam's process can do. This means that Arcam has a "natural monopoly" on this process. GE wants this monopoly to vertically integrate a company that produces jet engines. Moreover, GE has agreements and is advertising their 3d jet engine products to markets from the airline industry to the consumer market.

So, GE has little choice. The entire jet engine industry has little choice but to use 3d printed parts to reduce CO2 emissions, increase fuel economy, and reduce noise. 3d will also do something that does not occur often in the history of industry, improve productivity.

300 Sek appears to be the highest bid GE will offer, but the long range material science, industry, and market view appear to show what a bargain this would be if the buyout is completed.