Collins Aerospace Unveils $14 Million State-of-the-Art Additive Manufacturing Hub in West Des Moines, Iowa

Collins Aerospace, a division of RTX, today commemorated the launch of a $14 million enhancement of its additive manufacturing hub in West Des Moines, Iowa. The 9,000-square-foot extension offers space for the facility to accommodate a number of cutting-edge 3D metal printers. The initial printer installed boasts eight times the build capacity of the existing printers at the site, substantially enhancing the center’s additive manufacturing prowess.

Executives from Collins Aerospace, along with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, gathered to inaugurate a $14 million expansion of the additive manufacturing center at the company’s site in West Des Moines.

“From addressing the backlog in commercial aviation to facilitating future platforms, and minimizing carbon emissions to offering relief in the supply chain, additive manufacturing is set to occupy a pivotal role in the future of the aerospace and defense sectors,” remarked Renee Begley, West Des Moines site leader for Collins Aerospace. “Additive manufacturing holds the promise to assist us in decreasing weight, complexity, lead time, and cost in the components we supply, and this expansion reflects an investment in our enterprise to deliver these advantages to our clientele.”

Collins’ West Des Moines location is a global frontrunner in the design and fabrication of engine components for both commercial and military aviation. The new printers will enable the site to investigate additive fabrication of these components, building upon the various land-based turbine components it currently manufactures. Furthermore, this facility is among only eight in the U.S. to obtain the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) certification for Additive Manufacturing.

“Since its inception in 1933 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa has proudly served as the home for this worldwide manufacturing leader,” declared Governor Kim Reynolds. “Today’s expansion in West Des Moines is a testament to the commitment Collins Aerospace has made to our state, and we are equally devoted to fostering a robust economic climate that will nurture its innovation here for many years to come.”

Additive manufacturing remains a crucial focus for Collins, with the business maintaining an extensive global network of additive fabrication centers in Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Singapore, in addition to an additive research center located in Connecticut.