Additive Manufacturing in Turbomachinery: Developments and Future Directions

Additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing the design and production of components in turbomachinery, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency. This presentation explores the latest developments and future directions of AM in this sector, with a focus on the challenges and breakthroughs in integrating AM into the manufacturing process of gas turbines, compressors, and other turbomachinery components. AM enables the creation of complex geometries that traditional manufacturing methods cannot achieve, leading to weight reduction, enhanced performance, and faster production times. Recent efforts, such as the Energy & Turbomachinery Network (ETN Global) AM Machine Evaluation Initiative, have provided valuable insights into the capabilities and limitations of AM technologies for turbomachinery. This initiative is a key step in understanding the impact of AM on the materials, design processes, and reliability of critical components. Looking forward, the future of AM in turbomachinery will depend on overcoming technical barriers such as material qualification, process consistency, and integration into large-scale production. The presentation also highlights the emerging needs for standardization, certification, and collaboration between manufacturers, research institutions, and industry stakeholders to unlock the full potential of AM in turbomachinery and drive its adoption in commercial applications.

Presentation language: ENG