It's no secret that GE is big on 3D printing. The multinational conglomerate has developed the paragon example of 3D printing applications with the LEAP jet engine nozzle,while launching several additive manufacturing facilities and going on to acquire two big names in metal 3D printing. But what does GE use when it comes to desktop 3D printing?

Italian startup Roboze has just announced that GE Global Research has added the Roboze One+400 to its desktop lineup at its Global Research Center in Niskayuna, N.Y. What makes this system unique is that it is one of the few printers, outside of those made by Stratasys, capable of 3D printing with polyetherimide (PEI) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

The system can print with 13 different types of engineering-grade thermoplastics, but PEI, in particular, has received aerospace qualifications. Due to its high melting point and need for thermal stability, the material is notoriously difficult to work with and requires an enclosed chamber. Along with Germany's Indmatec, Roboze is one of the manufacturers of a desktop system capable of printing with PEI.

The Roboze One+400 3D printer. (Image courtesy of Roboze.)

GE Global Research will experiment with the technology for 3D printing PEEK for aerospace and other applications. As Scott Miller, manager of the Material Systems Lab at GE Global Research, said of the Roboze One+400, “We are excited to have this new 3D printer. It will let us explore ways to take advantage of 3D printing from high-performance polymers such as PEEK. We will also be able to evaluate new designs with greater complexity enabled by 3D printing in areas where we already use high-performance polymers.”

“I'm very proud of what we have accomplished in the past year after tremendous effort in research and development,” said Alessio Lorusso, founder and CEO of Roboze. “Successfully delivering our Roboze One+400 to the laboratories of GE Global Research in Niskayuna, points to one main conclusion—our innovative 3D printing technology will be part of the global industrial revolution, offering ways to reduce manufacturing costs substantially, which is a primary goal of all large industrial corporations . We will work closely with our customers to follow their changing needs and provide them with new solutions focusing on reinforced metal replacement materials. I’m honored to help and support GE in its journey of leading, once again, new industrial revolutions.”

Since the release of the One+400, Roboze has been quite active, bringing its new printer to Mecaer Aviation Group and Elbit Systems subsidiary Cyclone . The company has also expanded to North America , where it is currently seeking employees. This latest news from GE is a positive sign for the company’s efforts here. To learn more about Roboze, visit the company website



