Concept Laser

Concept Laser
Name	Concept Laser
Type	Subsidiary
Industry	Additive manufacturing
Founded	2000
Founder	Dr.-Ing. Hans-Jürgen Degen, Christian Meier
Headquarters	Lichtenfels
Products	Metal additive manufacturing systems, laser powder bed fusion machines
Parent	General Electric (after 2016 acquisition by GE Additive)

Concept Laser is a German manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing systems, known for pioneering laser powder bed fusion equipment and tailored production solutions for aerospace, medical, and automotive sectors. Founded in 2000 in Lichtenfels, Bavaria, the company grew from a small engineering venture into an influential supplier acquired by General Electric and integrated into a global additive manufacturing strategy alongside other industrial players. Its systems, intellectual property, and process expertise have been cited in collaborations with major institutions and original equipment manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, and Siemens.

History

Concept Laser was established in 2000 by Dr.-Ing. Hans-Jürgen Degen and Christian Meier in Lichtenfels, Bavaria, emerging during a period of rapid commercialization of additive manufacturing driven by advances at organizations like EOS GmbH and research at Fraunhofer Society institutes. Early milestones included the development of modular metal laser sintering concepts and participation in trade fairs such as Hannover Messe and Formnext, where the company demonstrated systems for industrial production. Growth accelerated through the 2000s with policy and funding interactions involving regional economic development bodies in Bavaria and partnerships with academic centers including Technical University of Munich and RWTH Aachen University. In 2016 Concept Laser was acquired by General Electric and incorporated into GE Additive, aligning with GE’s strategic investments in GE Aviation and reshaping additive manufacturing supply chains globally.

Products and Technologies

Concept Laser’s product portfolio centered on laser powder bed fusion systems, exemplified by machine lines often named with the "M" prefix and modular chamber configurations adopted by manufacturers such as GE Aviation and Rolls-Royce suppliers. Core technologies included high-power near-infrared fiber lasers, multi-laser architectures, automated powder handling modules, and databases for process parameterization used by institutions like NASA and European Space Agency. The product set supported materials certification workflows tied to standards from ASTM International and ISO, and incorporated software toolchains interoperable with platforms such as Siemens NX and Dassault Systèmes offerings. Concept Laser also supplied hybrid manufacturing cells integrating subtractive technologies from vendors like DMG Mori.

Manufacturing Processes

The company’s machines implemented laser powder bed fusion processes that relied on layer-wise powder deposition, selective laser melting strategies, and build strategies optimized for thermal control; comparable process philosophies were used by peers including SLM Solutions and Arcam. Process development emphasized parameter windows for alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718, metallurgical post-processes like hot isostatic pressing (HIP), and quality assurance methods including computed tomography workflows linked to systems from ZEISS and Nikon Metrology. Workflow integration targeted certification pathways familiar to European Aviation Safety Agency and Federal Aviation Administration regulations for metal part qualification, and included digital thread concepts championed by GE Digital and Autodesk.

Applications and Industries

Concept Laser systems found application across aerospace, medical, and automotive industries, with adopters including Airbus for structural fittings, Boeing subcontractors for rapid prototyping, and orthopedic manufacturers such as Stryker and Zimmer Biomet for patient-specific implants. Other sectors leveraging the technology included motorsport teams contracted through Formula One supply chains, energy companies collaborating with Siemens Energy, and defense contractors engaging with procurement processes at ministries in Germany and allied states. Use cases ranged from topology-optimized heat exchangers and fuel nozzles for GE Aviation engines to lattice-structured implants approved under regulatory pathways in agencies like European Medicines Agency.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

Prior to acquisition, Concept Laser operated as a privately held GmbH headquartered in Lichtenfels, with executive leadership that engaged with industry consortia such as Additive Manufacturing Users Group and suppliers from the German Mittelstand. The 2016 transaction brought Concept Laser into GE Additive, itself a division within General Electric tasked with consolidating additive capabilities alongside acquisitions like Arcam AB. Under GE, Concept Laser’s facilities and intellectual property were aligned with GE’s global manufacturing footprint, including integration with GE Aviation production sites and coordination with global sales channels covering regions like North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

Research, Development, and Innovations

Concept Laser maintained R&D collaborations with academic institutions such as Technical University of Munich, RWTH Aachen University, and research centers within the Fraunhofer Society, focusing on process control, in-situ monitoring, and powder metallurgy. Innovations included multi-laser synchronization, closed-loop thermal management strategies, and machine automation for powder recycling compliant with safety norms from DIN committees. The firm contributed to industry initiatives on standards development at ASTM International committees and participated in consortia that advanced qualification methodology for additive-produced components used by NASA, European Space Agency, and national laboratories. Continued innovation efforts emphasized scaling production throughput, digital quality assurance, and materials development in partnership with alloy producers such as Carpenter Technology and steelmakers in Germany.

Category:Additive manufacturing companies