GE speeds up 3D printing push with bids for SLM, Arcam
Johannes Hellstrom and Maria Sheahan for Reuters: General Electric launched bids on Tuesday to buy two of the world's top makers of machines for metal-based 3D printing - Sweden's Arcam and Germany's SLM Solutions - for a total $1.4 billion to bolster its position in the fast-growing technology.
3D printing has been used to build prototypes for decades but has become more widespread for industrial mass production in recent years, with uses including the production of dental crowns, medical implants and light aircraft parts.
GE has long been one of the main proponents of industrial 3D printing, using it to make fuel nozzles for its new LEAP jet engine in what marked a big step in using the technology in mass production. Cont'd...
Featured Product
MRPeasy - ERP for Small Manufacturers That Delivers Results
Always know what you have in stock and what you'll need to fulfill orders. Never forget to order parts on time or fail to notice a late delivery from your vendor. Easily create manufacturing orders and schedule them automatically according to resource availability or delivery deadline. Generate accurate cost and lead time estimates and provide customers with quick quotes. Receive notifications when orders are late or inventory levels reach a critical point. Ensure seamless communication between sales, production, warehousing, procurement, administration, and finance. Integrate with popular accounting, CRM, and e-commerce apps. MRPeasy is an ERP software for small manufacturers that gives you all that and more. Our users report a 54% average improvement in the overall performance of their business and a 42% increase in on-time deliveries. Try for free, no credit card needed.
