New European centre for 3D printing

A new high-tech knowledge centre for additive manufacturing is coming to Europe through a recently signed collaboration between the Netherlands Organisation for applied scientific research (TNO) and the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e).

Additive manufacturing, which involves certain methods where products are produced layer by layer, such as 3D printing, also has the potential to be adjusted with intelligence built in.

TNO said that in contrast to other knowledge centres for additive manufacturing, this centre will focus primarily on the production equipment for smart, personalised and multifunctional products.

The high-tech equipment will largely target the integrated and smart electronics markets, including customised medical products or high-tech products, such as implants and prostheses.

The centre will also train scientists for the emerging 3D-printing industry. It is expected that within four years around 25 PhD students will be undertaking research, while more than 50 full-time professionals will be involved in the centre.

TNO said it wants the centre to collaborate intensively on research and development with industry, with the aim being to have teams of industrial partners participating in research programs in the near future.

A TU/e chair and research group, ‘Systems Mechatronics for Advanced Manufacturing’, will also be established at the new knowledge centre, which is to be located at the TU/e campus.

Image caption: Machine designed for 3D printing of plastic and ceramic products. ©TNO.

Originally published here.