Siemens, one of the largest industrial manufacturers in Europe recently announced to having attained a milestone as the company has 3D printed a combustion component. The dry low emission pre-mixer has been designed for the SGT-A05 aeroderivative gas turbine and is claimed to significantly reduce CO emissions.

The Chief Technology Officer for Siemens Power Generation Services, Vladimir Navrotsky has been reported to say that the present instance shows how additive manufacturing is revolutionizing the industry with real value to customers and delivering measurable benefits. According to Navrotsky, Siemens’ achievement with additive manufacturing is paving the way for greater agility in manufacturing, design and maintenance of power generation components.

Experts are of the opinion that consequences of developing the DLE pre-mixer with additive manufacturing will have a significant impact as it is a highly complex component that has been successfully designed in only 7 months. It works in high load, requires tight tolerance and resists high temperatures.

Siemens has utilized its qualified nickel super alloys as an additive manufacturing material and has thus reduced the parts involved in casting and assembly from 20 to 2, causing lead time reduction by 70%.

A recent press release by Siemens affirms that the company has, for long, aimed at becoming climate neutral by 2030 and has invested €100 million in the improvement of energy efficiency in its production facilities and buildings. In 2017, Siemens completed its engine tests for AM designed gas turbine blades. Earlier in 2018, a 3D printed replacement part for industrial steam turbines was also installed by Siemens into a customer’s equipment.

As per reliable reports, the successful commercial installation of 3D printed impeller for a fire protection pump in a nuclear power plant was also achieved by Siemens in 2017, complete with safe operation testing. The company’s efficiency in AM technology is also evident by its accumulation of 30,000 hours of successful commercial operation of AM repaired SGT-800 burners and AM manufactured SGT-750 burner swirls.