GKN Aerospace and Saab enter next stage in additive manufacturing partnership

One year of international technology collaboration has advanced AM development and resulted in powder bed components in-flight today

Next stage will focus on industrial ramp up and expanding material and process availability

GKN Aerospace and Saab are celebrating one year of collaboration in additive manufacturing. The partnership between GKN and Saab has already resulted in the delivery and certification of AM components now flying on Saab aircraft. The partnership with Saab has focused on metallic powder bed technology, delivered from GKN’s centre of excellence in Filton, in the UK. Further developments will push the boundaries of the AM processes by introducing new materials and designs whilst simultaneously continuing to reduce the production lead times and costs.

GKN Aerospace is the worldwide technology leader in additive manufacturing with seven global centres of excellence providing expertise from fine-scale deposition to large-scale laser wire capabilities. GKN has polymer and metallic AM parts flying on seven major platforms across multiple markets: commercial, military, rotorcraft and space. It produces these components from AM centres of excellence in the UK, the US, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. GKN is also a market leader in the production of metal powder, the essential raw material for many AM components.