UK-based GE Oil & Gas has inaugurated two new component production lines at its plant in Talamona, Italy.
A new automated nozzle production line and new additive manufacturing line, which will use laser technology to 3D print end burners for gas turbine combustion chambers, are set to establish the site as a centre of excellence for the oil and gas industry, according to the company.
GE Oil & Gas materials and manufacturing technologies executive Massimiliano Cecconi said: “The opportunities for the application of additive manufacturing and 3D printing in the oil and gas industry are only just starting to be explored, and it will require an ongoing rethink of component design and production approach.
“GE Oil & Gas is fostering the development of this technology to produce complex components for gas turbines, while cutting costs, boosting performance and reducing emissions.”
The company had invested €10m for two years to establish the Talamona plant as a production centre.
The new nozzle production line uses two anthropomorphic robots that have the capacity to employ ten different technologies and enables the company to produce components in Talamona.
The site is also managed with software with the capacity to schedule activities and also support maintenance activity that is no longer preventative.
GE Oil & Gas turbomachinery solutions manufacturing general manager Davide Marrani said: “The use of automated production and new techniques such as additive manufacturing allow us to develop parts and products more efficiently, precisely and cost-effectively, accelerating the speed that we can bring product to market.
“Our investment in these technologies at this site reflects our ongoing commitment to combine cutting edge technology and new manufacturing processes to lower cost and accelerate the innovation, speed and performance of industrial products.”
The new production lines are expected to be fully operational by the start of 2017.
Image: GE Oil & Gas will use robotics and 3D printing in Talamona plant. Photo: courtesy of General Electric.
