US-headquartered GE Additive has acquired Belgian firm GeonX, a privately-owned developer of simulation software for additive manufacturing, welding, machining and heat treatment processes in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive and energy.
GeonX’s simulation software tool, Virfac (short for Virtual Factory), assesses products prior to production, predicting defects, distortions and stresses, and the impact manufacturing has on a product’s durability. This helps to reduce the number of prototypes built during the development phase, while improving the quality and lifetime of the manufactured products. This can minimise the time to market and development costs.
Says Mohammad Ehteshami, vice president and general manager, GE Additive: “As a business, GE Additive is committed to accelerating the additive manufacturing industry. Innovative simulation software solutions like Virfac do just that by adding real value to our customers who want to speed up product design and development, while maintaining the best possible quality. We’re delighted to welcome GeonX to the GE Additive family.”
Add Laurent D'Alvise and Michel Delanaye, co-founders and CEOs, GeonX: “GE Additive is the innovator in the additive manufacturing sector and we’re thrilled to join the team. Software is of course integral to digital transformation, so we are equally excited to be part of GE’s Digital Industrial journey.”
GE has been a leading end user and innovator in the additive manufacturing space for many years. In addition to its $1.4 billion investment in Concept Laser and Arcam, GE has also invested approximately $1.5 billion in manufacturing and additive technologies over the past 10 years, developed additive applications across all GE businesses, created new services applications across the company, and earned hundreds of patents in material science. In 2016, the company established GE Additive to become a leading supplier of additive technology, materials and services for industries and businesses worldwide.
Pictured: Left to Right: Michel Delanaye, co-founder and CEO, GeonX; Mohammad Ehteshami, vice president and general manager, GE Additive, Laurent D'Alvise co-founder and CEO, GeonX.