GE Aviation has acquired two precision manufacturing companies, Morris Technologies and its sister company Rapid Quality Manufacturing, for an undisclosed amount.
The acquisition is a part of GE Aviation’s strategy to strengthen its engineering, manufacturing capabilities and handle the increasing jet engine production rates over the next five years.
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GE Aviation supply chain division vice president and general manager Colleen Athans said that the acquisition of Morris Technologies and Rapid Quality Manufacturing represented the company’s investment in emerging manufacturing technologies.
"Our ability to develop state-of-the-art manufacturing processes for emerging materials and complex design geometry is critical to our future," Athans said.
Both the acquired companies are involved in additive manufacturing, which is an automated process used for developing rapid prototypes and end-use production components.
The additive manufacturing process uses digital designs from computer aided design (CAD) software to lay horizontal cross-sections using a laser beam to melt raw material; the manufactured components are usually lighter, as the level of welding is lower than that in traditional forged parts.
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By GlobalDataIn addition, the process is said to yield less scrap material during fabrication.
GE Aviation has already awarded contracts to Morris Technologies and Rapid Quality Manufacturing to build components for the LEAP jet engine, which is currently under development by CFM International, a joint venture of GE and France-based Snecma (Safran).
The company plans to establish two new production facilities in the US in 2013.
GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric, manufactures jet, turboprop, turbo shaft engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft.
