GE
will build a new facility in Pennsylvania between March
and September next year, concerned with advanced manufacturing.
In a statement, GE said 50 engineers would initially be employed at the site, for
which is has budgeted $US 32 million over three years.
The
company cited an “intersection of
technology and manufacturing marrying hardware with software” in its announcement,
and the revolutionising of manufacturing due to this.
The new site was a reflection of the influence of
“advanced manufacturing” – a term that can mean different things depending on
who says it – which GE said was “about making things better and faster for
customers. It includes new digital fabrication technology, lean manufacturing
methods and rapid-prototyping, advanced materials sciences, supply chain
efficiency and open innovation.”
The new jobs at the site, located at Findlay
Township, outside of Pittsburgh, would add to 8,500 others at GE in the state,
employed in transportation, power and water, oil and gas, and energy management.
3Dprint.com and others note that it marked a further
commitment by GE to 3D printing, which it is using to create nozzles in its
next generation LEAP engines.
Each engine includes 20 one-piece nozzles (which
formerly had a part count of 20), which will be lighter than usual and help
increase fuel efficiency.
Image: GE