Atlas (3D-printer)

2017: Announcement

In June, 2017 General Electric announced as it claims, the biggest in the world the laser 3D-printer. With its help it is going to make in the first part queues for airplanes.

This device for volume printing received the name Atlas and works on technology of the selection laser fusing (SLM). It can create objects to one meter in two measurements (length and width) using titanium, aluminum and other metals instead of plastic, pitches and filaments which are applied in many commercial and consumer 3D-printers. Thus, Atlas is theoretically capable to print, for example, all block of the engine for passenger or the lorry, having become replacement to specialized tools which are involved in production of these types of products at the plants.

Concept Laser XLine 2000R — the biggest by June, 2017 the laser 3D-printer

General Electric is going to begin deliveries of Atlas in November, 2017. The release of the version of the printer capable to print objects length, width and up to one meter in depth in each measurement is planned for the 2018th.

By June, 2017 the largest in the world the laser 3D-printer — the production model of Concept Laser XLine 2000R (it is represented one photo higher) — can print parts the size up to 800x400x500 mm in size. In 2017 General Electric became the largest shareholder of Concept Laser.

According to the vice president and the head of division of GE Additive Mohammad Ehteshami, Atlas will allow to create aviation spare parts with a diameter up to one meter which will be used as structural elements of jet engines and parts for narrow-body aircrafts. Besides, the new equipment can be used in the automobile, power and oil and gas industries, the top manager added.^[1]

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