GKN Aerospace Secures First Nadcap Accreditation for Laser-Wire DED
GKN Aerospace says it has received the world’s first Nadcap accreditation for laser-wire directed energy deposition (L-DED-w), following an independent audit of process controls, equipment, materials, personnel, and traceability.
3D Printing Industry reported on November 2, 2026, that GKN Aerospace had achieved Nadcap accreditation for laser-wire directed energy deposition (L-DED-w). GKN’s October 29 announcement calls it the first accreditation worldwide for this process, following an independent special-process audit for aerospace and defense manufacturing.
The audit covered process controls, operating procedures, personnel qualifications, equipment, material control, and traceability. L-DED-w feeds metal wire into a laser-generated melt pool and builds components bead by bead. GKN says it has already delivered certified additively manufactured components that are flying today.
Nadcap does not certify the performance or service life of every component. It confirms that a controlled manufacturing process meets the applicable audit criteria. The accreditation provides a quality-assurance foundation for wider production use of L-DED-w, while each aerospace part still requires its own design approval and conformity evidence.
Key facts
- GKN Aerospace says it is the first company accredited by Nadcap for L-DED-w.
- The audit covered process controls, procedures, personnel, equipment, material control, and traceability.
- The accreditation applies to the manufacturing process, not blanket certification of every component’s performance.
Context
The accreditation establishes an audited quality foundation for broader aerospace production with wire DED, while individual parts will still need qualification.
