GKN Aerospace Reports First Nadcap Accreditation for Laser Wire DED-3DPTimes

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GKN Aerospace Reports First Nadcap Accreditation for Laser Wire DED

November 2, 2026 News 3DPTimes | Source: GKN Aerospace, October 29, 2026. https://www.gknaerospace.com/news-insights/news/gkn-aerospace-becomes-first-in-the-world-to-achieve-nadcap-accreditation-for-l-ded-w/ | Photo: GKN Aerospace, newsroom image supplied for editorial use. 12

The October 29 announcement marks an independently audited process milestone for industrial aerospace additive manufacturing.

Laser-based additive manufacturing at GKN Aerospace. Contextual newsroom photograph. Photo: GKN Aerospace. Supplied for editorial use.

GKN Aerospace said on October 29, 2026 that it had become the first company to achieve Nadcap accreditation for Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition (L-DED-w). The company describes the award as a step toward broader industrial use of metal additive manufacturing in aerospace and defence.

According to GKN, the accreditation followed an audit covering process controls, operating procedures, personnel qualifications, equipment, material handling and traceability. Nadcap recognition provides independent validation of the audited manufacturing processes. It does not by itself certify every new component design or application.

GKN says it has already delivered certified additively manufactured components that are in flight. The new accreditation is intended to support further L-DED-w applications entering production; the announcement does not give a new contract value or delivery schedule.

The development highlights the role of repeatability, traceability and process control in moving additive manufacturing beyond demonstrations into established aerospace supply chains.

Image: Laser-based additive manufacturing at GKN Aerospace. Photo: GKN Aerospace. Contextual newsroom photograph; not a photograph of the accreditation audit.

Source publication: October 29, 2026. Report prepared: November 1, 2026.

Laser-based additive manufacturing at GKN Aerospace. Contextual newsroom photograph, not a photograph of the accreditation audit. Photo: GKN Aerospace. Supplied by GKN Aerospace for editorial use.