Healthcare conglomerate GE Healthcare Life Sciences (Chicago, Illinois / USA; www.gelifesciences.com) has opened an additive manufacturing centre in Umeå / Sweden. The company spent USD 2m (EUR 1.8m) on the centre, which will integrate 3D-printed parts in the production of biomanufacturing equipment. The facility joins GE Healthcare Life Science’s first 3D printing centre, which opened in Uppsala / Sweden in 2018.

The two units support the entire additive process from design and 3D prototyping to serial production, said the healthcare group. Product design and validation are completed in Uppsala, followed by serial production of components in Umeå, allowing engineers to design increasingly complex parts and manufacture them with sub-millimetric precision at reduced lead times.

“Our latest 3D printing centre offers substantial productivity gains and adds more strength to our supply chain,” said general manager bioprocess Olivier Loeillot. “The components manufactured with additive technology are smaller and more durable. For our customers, this means better quality, less waste, and simplified designs.” The facility houses a 3D printer for serial production of polyamide parts, a powder mixing station and advanced post-processing equipment.

In separate news, GE Healthcare Life Sciences is building a facility on Signy Park in Grens / Switzerland for manufacturing single-use kits for the “Sepax” and “Sefia” cell processing systems. The plant is expected to be fully operational in 2022.