GE Additive (Woburn, MA) and medical device company Stryker (Kalamazoo, MI) have entered into a partnership to support Stryker’s growth in additive manufacturing.
The agreement covers new additive machines, materials and services for Stryker’s global supply chain operations.
Part of industrial goliath GE, GE Additive was established in 2016 and includes additive machine providers Concept Laser and ArcamEBM, additive material provider AP&C and additive service provider to the medical industry, DTI.
Stryker is a global medical technology company operating in the orthopedics, surgical, neurotechnology and spinal spaces.
The mass customization capabilities and unprecedented design possibilities of additive manufacturing, aka 3D printing, are extremely attractive in orthopedic and implantable medical applications.
“GE and Stryker share a similar vision and both of us understand the transformative power of additive design and manufacturing,” said Vice President and General Manager of GE Additive, Mohammad Ehteshami, in a prepared statement.
“We regard Stryker as one of the most experienced practitioners of metal additive, with a range of commercialised medical products. We will continue to innovate with new additive products, materials and technologies, which will support their growth.”
Stryker’s 3D printed Tritanium PL posterior lumbar cage implant
Stryker has invested in additive manufacturing since 2001 and has collaborated with leading universities in Ireland and the United Kingdom with the goal of industrializing 3D printing for the healthcare industry.
Stryker recently opened a global technology development center with an additive technology manufacturing hub in Ireland.
Additive manufacturing allows Stryker to address design complexity and achieve previously unmanufacturable geometries, said the company in a prepared statement.
“Working with GE Additive and leveraging their expertise is a very compelling proposition for Stryker,” said John Haller, Vice President of Global Supply at Stryker.
“We believe this collaboration will accelerate our additive manufacturing journey and support our mission to make healthcare better.”
