GE Additive Sandvik begin a strategic partnership in the Binder Jet program

General Electric Additive and Sandvik have become strategic partners in the Binder Jet beta program. GE’s established manufacturing ability combines with Sandvik’s long experience in metallurgy. Both companies are early innovators in AM technologies. GE Additive offers a full suite of AM production solutions. Sandvik, a Swedish firm, has participated in the AM space since 2013 through materials production and services. The companies combine vast international reach. The partnership promises increased material and technological development in GE’s client offering.

The Binder Jet partner program turns on GE Additive’s H2 Binder Jet beta machine, which is used to support its internal and external customers. The program leverages the company’s in industrializing additive technology with strong technical and innovative partners to rapidly grow its Binder Jet technology. The first phase involves developing the beta H2 system into pilot lines and eventually into a commercially available factory solution in 2021.

The partnership allows GE Additive folds Sandvik’s Osprey powder alloys into its client offering. Sandvik will work closely with GE Additive to become a certified powder supplier for a range of Osprey alloys that complement GE Additive and AP&C’s materials portfolio – and will also use GE Additive’s H2 Binder Jet beta machine to support its internal and external customers.

“Our approach to Binder Jet is making additive mass production a reality in every industry. And while it would be relatively easier to launch individual machines, we continue to hear from customers, especially in the automotive industry, that they need a complete solution that can scale,” said Jacob Brunsberg, Binder Jet product line leader, GE Additive.

“Attracting partners like Sandvik – with know-how in industrializing innovation, deep materials knowledge, and a shared vision for the potential for additive technology – remains a cornerstone of our Binder Jet commercialization strategy,” he added.

“Sandvik is a leading expert in gas-atomized additive manufacturing powders, as well as in optimizing the materials to customers’ specific print processes and applications,” said Kristian Egeberg, President of Sandvik Additive Manufacturing. “The materials collaboration with GE Additive offers great opportunities to qualify our wide range of Osprey metal powders for their new Binder Jet platform, to enhance end-customer productivity and product performance.”

Sandvik brings the program over 150 years of leading expertise in materials technology, more than 40 years of experience with powder atomization, leading know-how in post-processing methods such as metal cutting, sintering and heat treatment, and extensive expertise across the entire additive technology value chain – from metal powder to finished additive components.