Connecticut-based United Technologies Corporation (UTC) has announced a number of large investments into its research arm, UTRC, including plans for a $75 million ‘Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.’
United Technologies Research Center（UTRC）是UTC的“创新引擎”，该计划在其新的6000万美元UTRC“ Innovation Hub”设施开业时揭幕。除了增材制造中心外，UTRC还将开发4000万美元的发动机压缩机研究设施。
竞争GE
UTRC has facilities across the globe, but its headquarters in East Hartford will be the base of the new investments which total $115 million. According to the company,
The new Additive Manufacturing facility will accelerate deployment of a broad range of metal and polymer additive technologies across UTC businesses.
These businesses include aerospace company Pratt & Whitney that develops aircraft engines and is one of the main manufacturers alongside GE and Rolls Royce. GE has recently refined its manufacturing process with a considerable“跳向加成制造业, and it is understandable that Pratt & Whitney would scale up its own additive capabilities with research undertaken at the UTRC.
Implementing additive in aerospace
普拉特和惠特尼is already very familiar with the additive manufacturing process. As the公司解释it has 3D printed over 100,000 prototype parts over the years, and has used 3D printing to develop the PurePower aircraft engine which rivals GE’s LEAP. Expanding its capabilities, Pratt & Whitney recently建立伙伴关系与增材制造软件提供商Sigma Labs。
根据UTRC的说法，新的发动机压缩机研究设施将与Pratt＆Whitney合作“develop and mature advanced compressor technologies for future commercial and military engines。”UTRC的公司副总裁兼董事David Parekh博士在该设施的开幕式上发表了讲话
Today we are unveiling a clear demonstration of UTC’s commitment to investing in the breakthrough technologies that will help shape our future.
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Featured image shows inside the lab. Photo via UTRC.
