GKN Aerospace achieves world-first accreditation for aerospace additive manufacturing

GKN Aerospace has become the first company in the world to achieve Nadcap accreditation for Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition (L-DED-w), marking an important milestone in the industrialisation of additive manufacturing for aerospace and defence applications.

The accreditation provides independent, industry-recognised validation of GKN Aerospace’s L-DED-w manufacturing processes. GKN Aerospace has already designed, developed and delivered fully certified additively manufactured components, which are in flight today. This accreditation will help accelerate further L-DED-w applications into full aerospace production in the future.

Nadcap is one of the aerospace industry’s most recognised accreditation programmes for special processes, validating that manufacturing processes meet stringent requirements for quality, traceability and process control.

How additive manufacturing helps realise new aerospace component designs

Sébastien Aknouche, SVP Material Solutions, GKN Aerospace, said: “Our customers are looking for trusted partners that can help industrialise advanced manufacturing technologies.

“For additive manufacturing, that means having robust and repeatable processes that can support the move into industrial production. Nadcap accreditation is an important step in that journey, giving us a stronger foundation for broader application of L-DED-w across aerospace and defence.”

The accreditation followed a comprehensive audit of GKN Aerospace’s process controls, operating procedures, personnel qualifications, equipment, material control and traceability.

Additive manufacturing can enable the production of complex aerospace components while reducing material use and opening new possibilities for how components are designed and manufactured. Nadcap accreditation provides an independently validated foundation for taking L-DED-w from proven technology towards broader industrial application across aerospace and defence.