Material Solutions
A sneak peek at our production in Trollhättan
Material Solutions, a new business area within GKN Aerospace Engines, is revolutionising the aerospace supply chain through Additive Fabrication (3D printing).
Our first shop, located in Trollhättan, is now operational and producing parts for serial production using Additive Fabrication. Alongside production, we continue to develop, test and build new capabilities for future products, using LDED (Laser-Directed Energy Deposition) and LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion).
LDED (Laser-Directed Energy Deposition)
In 2022, we installed our first LDED equipment — a cell from Permanova Lasersystems. In this cell, we produced our first product: Fan Case Mount Ring. We delivered the first unit to our customers in April 2024, and now, about one year later, we are proud to have delivered 200 products.
The project has been a great success, with a rapid ramp-up and timely delivery to our customers. Thanks to our multi-skilled and certified operators, we have maintained top quality throughout and achieved excellent results. The key to this achievement has also been the collaboration between our team and our customers, fuelled by their shared commitment and problem-solving focus. In addition, we acquired Permanova Lasersystem, which provided valuable resources to enhance our system knowledge and expertise.
Along with LDED cells, we have also invested in essential post-processing technologies, including X-ray and 3D scanning. This has boosted efficiency and enabled short lead times, with nearly all process steps handled in-house.
Powder welding
LBPF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion)
The LBPF technology is in its early stages of development. We are refining the method and aim to deliver the first finished product in 1-2 years. This part of the shop serves as a test and development area where we continuously learn and improve the process, with our end goal of becoming the world leader in LPBF builds for aerospace.
The Future of Additive Fabrication
Trollhättan is the first stepping stone on our road to more growth and high-volume shops. Within the next couple of years, we are expanding our footprint and establishing Material Solutions in Kongsberg and Newington. We are combining our heritage with our capabilities, and together, we are shaping the future of the aerospace industry.
High Technology and Opportunities in Kongsberg
In Kongsberg, GKN Aerospace is a key player in high-tech manufacturing for the aerospace industry. Today, we focus on precision machining and producing advanced aircraft engine and structure components. This work requires high accuracy and technical expertise, enabling aircraft to fly farther, faster, and more efficiently.
GKN Aerospace Norway (GAN) continuously works towards innovation, sustainability, and ongoing development. We already use additive manufacturing and 3D printing in our production, which has helped us reduce material waste and energy consumption.
If you seek a job in Kongsberg, GAN offers exciting career opportunities in manufacturing engineering, quality control, and technological development. We are always looking for dedicated and skilled workers, engineers, and technicians who want to be part of a global company with strong local roots.
Join GKN Aerospace Norway and help shape the future of aviation technology.
