Cummins Expands Portfolio by Investing in GE Additive’s Metal Binder Jet 3D Printing Technology

Indiana-based diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. has a long history of designing, manufacturing, distributing, and servicing power solutions. Founded 100 years ago, the company works with customers in nearly 200 countries around the world, and turned to 3D printing two years ago to help with heavy-duty repairs. Recently, Cummins sold its first 3D printed automotive part, which was just the first step in its strategy to use mass production to disrupt the industry and incorporate 3D printing into its own business practices at a larger scale.

To this end, the company is expanding its additive manufacturing portfolio with an investment in metal 3D printing -using binder jet technology by its strategic partner GE Additive, to be exact. Shaun Wootton, GE Additive’s PR and Media Relations Leader, told us that Cummins is “one of the first customers to invest in our binder jet technology.”

Binder jetting involves moving a print head across a bed of powder, while at the same time selectively depositing a liquid agent in the desired shape into the powder. This binds the two areas together so that a solid part forms a layer at a time. This method of 3D printing can print parts 60 to 100 times faster than processes that are laser-based, depending on how complex the final product is. This strategic investment – part of Cummins’ implementation of Industry 4.0 – is the next logical step to make in revolutionizing its manufacturing processes.

“By investing in 3D metal additive technologies from GE Additive, we are investing in Cummins and our customers. This technology has the potential to provide our customers with a quicker, lower-cost production method that ultimately uses less energy, which means we can better serve our customers and reduce our environmental impact,” said Tim Millwood, Vice President of Global Manufacturing at Cummins Inc.

Cummins already has two Concept Laser M2 DMLM systems, one of which is located at its Technical Center; the other is installed, along with two other metal 3D printers, at its Research and Development Center in Mexico. In fact, the first 3D printed metal part the company sold – a low-volume bracket – was fabricated on one of its M2 printers. By adding new binder jet 3D printers, which will be located at GE Additive’s Cincinnati, Ohio lab, Cummins will be able to reliably print complex parts of both medium and large sizes at a lower cost and higher throughput. This means the company will be able to focus its future strategy on high-volume production, though it’s currently 3D printing low-volume parts only as a way to study, as Cummins put it, “how best to use 3D technology in higher volume manufacturing.”

GE Additive has been working hard to rapidly scale its binder jet technology over the last few years. Its complete, industrialized factory solution should be commercially available in the early part of 2021.

“In early 2019, we launched the beta testing and partner program and deliberately sought out partners and key customers, like Cummins, who are committed to mass production. As Cummins celebrates its 100^th year, it remains steadfast in its commitment to being at the cutting edge of innovation. Above all, we want to partner with companies whose businesses and customers will benefit tremendously from binder jet technologies,” said Jake Brunsberg, Binder Jet Product Line Leader.

Teams from Cummins will be co-located at GE Additive’s Cincinnati lab in order to work together on technology development. Later this year, the 3D printers will be relocated to one of the company’s own facilities. This investment will definitely help speed up its course toward scaled additive manufacturing production.

Discuss this story and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.