Optomec, Albuquerque, N.M., has acquired Huffman, the established leader in supplying 3D metal printing systems for additive repair of gas turbine components in the energy and aviation markets. Manufacturers of aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines use its metal deposition capabilities to restore worn or damaged components at substantially lower cost than new spare parts.
“Having used products from both companies, I know the complementary strengths of their portfolios and the value they provide to aerospace, defense, and power generation customers,” says Christopher E. Thompson, general manager product service, GE Power. “Optomec’s innovative and affordable solutions in this space, combined with the robust, production-friendly equipment, and intuitive user interfaces provided by Huffman, are sure to enable new leaps in free-form additive manufacturing for repairs, new part build, and hybrid manufacturing.”
Both Optomec and Huffman deliver a form of metal 3D printing that is known as Directed Energy Deposition (DED; tradename LENS). LENS has distinct advantages over the more widely-known form of metal printing referred to as powder bed fusion (PBF), or selective laser melting (SLM). In particular, LENS is able to print full parts at a fraction of the time and cost of PBF/SLM, yet with better material and mechanical properties. Additionally, LENS is uniquely able to add metal to existing parts for repair and coating applications that extend the useful life of components.
