GKN plc, a designer and manufacturer of engineered aerospace and automotive parts, including forgings, has reorganized several of its activities into a new business unit for additive manufacturing. GKN Additive draws operations from GKN Aerospace, GKN Driveline, and GKN Powder Metallurgy, and will be actively supplying AM parts for civilian, military, and business jets and space aircraft, as well as major automotive platforms.
GKN Additive will have locations in four countries, drawing on aerospace and automotive engineering capabilities, and existing operations with capabilities in powder metal production and finished parts manufacturing.
Additive manufacturing (also called 3D printing, or 3DP) for metal parts is based on various laser-based or sintering processes, working in a range of powdered metal materials to produce parts that are engineered for their metallurgical properties as well as their physical and mechanical qualities.
GKN offered that its AM expertise draws on for organizational strengths: understanding of metal powder (raw materials); process knowledge (e.g., selective laser sintering, powder bed, laser metal deposition); manufacturing expertise; and proficiency for industrial certification/qualification of engineered parts.
“GKN Additive is an incredibly exciting venture and the potential applications for the technology are endless,” stated Jos Sclater, GKN plc’s head of strategy. “The benefits of AM are significant, both for our customers and the world around us, in terms of greener, more efficient production. There is also a tangible feeling that manufacturing is suddenly a very exciting place to be for the brightest and best engineering talent.”
