Eaton opens UK aerospace additive manufacturing centre

Intelligent power management company Eaton has opened a European Centre of Additive Manufacturing in the UK – its third global additive manufacturing site and second dedicated to the aerospace industry – as part of its strategy to scale additive manufacturing globally and support growing demand for next-gen aerospace platforms.

As aerospace manufacturers continue to seek lighter, more efficient components and more resilient supply chains, additive manufacturing is gaining broader interest across the industry. Eaton’s newest additive manufacturing facility is designed to support localised, production-scale additive manufacturing in Europe and help customers address complexity, supply chain resiliency and production-readiness needs.

Tomasina Bailey, vice president, engineering, Aerospace Group, Eaton, said: “By expanding our additive manufacturing capabilities in Europe, we’re enabling customers to move faster from design to production of certified components.

“With deep engineering expertise and integrated capabilities, Eaton is setting the standard for scaling additive in aerospace—delivering the performance, reliability and design flexibility customers need to deliver next-generation platforms at scale.”

European production capability

Located at Eaton’s aerospace manufacturing campus in Wimborne, the facility integrates design, engineering, printing and validation in a single environment. With its European Centre of Additive Manufacturing now operational, Eaton has strengthened its ability to support regional aerospace programmes and enables more resilient, localised production in Europe.

Mike York, director of additive manufacturing and digital design, Aerospace Group, Eaton, said: “Eaton expects to expand the facility’s capabilities to further boost its ability to support high-reliability commercial and military programmes at scale. Based on customer requirements and operational readiness, the company anticipates using titanium and electron beam additive processes and is working towards achieving rigorous AS9100 aerospace quality certification.”

Advanced additive manufacturing

Eaton’s additive manufacturing capabilities enable the production of lighter, more efficient components while reducing material usage and minimising the need for tooling. At the core of the facility is Eaton’s largest metal additive manufacturing system, capable of delivering up to twice the productivity of previous platforms, enabling faster development cycles and increased throughput for complex, safety-critical components.

The company’s global manufacturing network spans multiple regions, providing dual-sourced, regionally aligned solutions for its customers. This expanded network improves supply chain resilience and redundancy for aerospace customers, reducing logistical delays and ensuring business continuity for critical programmes.

Founded in 1911, Eaton is an intelligent power management company serving 180 countries. In the aerospace sector, Eaton provides hydraulic, fuel, oxygen, fluid and air conveyance, electrical, motion control and engine solutions, as well as aftermarket service and support for commercial and military aircraft.