GE Additive and Stryker announce additive manufacturing partnership

GE Additive and Stryker have entered a partnership agreement to support Stryker’s growth in additive manufacturing (AM). The agreement covers new additive machines, materials, and services for Stryker’s global supply chain operations.

Stryker has already invested in Concept Laser and Arcam machines. The company’s investment in AM began in 2001; since then Stryker has collaborated with leading universities in Ireland and the U.K. to industrialize 3-D printing for the health care industry. Stryker recently opened a global technology development center with an additive technology manufacturing hub in Carrigtohill, County Cork, Ireland.

GE has been an AM end user and innovator for many years, the company reports. In addition to the $1.4 billion investment in Concept Laser and Arcam, GE has also invested approximately $1.5 billion in manufacturing and additive technologies over the past 10 years, developed additive applications across six GE businesses, created new services applications across the company, and earned 346 patents in powder metals used in the additive process. In 2016 the company established GE Additive as a supplier of additive technology, materials, and services for industries and businesses worldwide.