GE Developing Largest 3D Laser Printer

General Electric (GE) will be unveiling the world’s largest 3D printing machine later this year in November at the Formnext Show in Germany.

Releasing a statement the company said the new machine will be developed by GE Additive and to use a laser to mold metal powder.

GE added the new machine would be able to create parts measuring up to 35 cubic feet and to make everything including shoes, food, toys, prosthetics and even whole buildings.

The technology used in the new machine is called laser additive manufacturing and is named as prototype Atlas printer.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen too is experimenting the same at its factory in Portugal. It is creating parts of cars with Ultimaker 3 and Ultimaker 2+ printers.

Volkswagen added its unit is making custom-designed tools such as fixtures, jigs and gauges that save time and money too.

The company further continued it is making 93 percent of the tools at its Autoeuropa factory in Portugal. Until now it used to buy the parts from external vendors.

In 2016 the company saved $150,000 by creating tools in-house.

Luis Pascoa of Volkswagen Autoeuropa said apart from time and cost savings the tools produced are customized according to their requirement and those are more useful in their day-to-day operations.