Replies to post #2229 on Arcam AB fka AMAVF

[charlie T colton]

Thanks investorhub123, 60 is the number GM said.

I haven't heard anyone say anywhere how long it takes to produce 1 fuel nozzle on a DMLS machine - or if 2 or more can be printed on the a single machine at a time. I'm asking the collective ears, eyes, and brains of the board members for help.

Good people here have made projections on how many EBM machines would be needed to produce low pressure turbine stator blades. I'd like to see a similar independent projection for the fuel nozzles.

I think that GE management would HAVE TO have gone back to the design engineers and given them the additional constraints of coming up with a design that COULD be made with the EBM technology. This would be a natural part of the design cycle. I think the benefits from producing the fuel nozzles with EBM would be worth a little bit of extra weight for each part. The freedom of design and weight savings from many other metal components would make the incremental increase with a slightly heavier fuel nozzle a drop in the proverbial bucket.

I have absolutely no knowledge that this has been considered. For all the excitement we heard a year ago about the fuel nozzles, we've heard surprisingly little since then. I have to wonder why that is. Does anyone believe that GE Aviation is done innovating? I don't. I wonder where the next advances will come from with additive manufacturing in aviation.

Again, any information on the DMLS production would be appreciated.

[charlie T colton]

Powder Removal from 3D Structures

One of the limiting factors for the use of EBM in manufacturing is the difficulty in removing the "cake" powder in small passages of produced pieces.

I don't recall seeing this patent that was issued last September. http://www.flintbox.com/public/filedownload/6740/U.S.%20Patent%208,828,311

I came upon this today. UTEP will license the process.
Powder Removal from 3D Structures

Short Description
The University of Texas at El Paso seeks a partner for licensing on a metal powder removal method from three dimensional structures.

Abstract
Dry sonication is utilized to remove unmelted powder following electron and laser beam melting processes using additive manufacturing.

Advantages
Easily removing non-melted metal powder from hard-to-reach locations in three dimensional structures
Prevents faulty orthopedic implants and revision surgery

Potential Applications
Biomedical - orthopedic implants
Additive manufacturing
Three dimensional printed structures

I believe that there will be numerous commercial/aerospace applications as well.