Design for AM Metals – Turning Designs into Reality

Key Research Theme Leader

Robert Higham – Head of Centre for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Bolton

Overview

This online metals themed event explore metals for additive manufacturing in the context of the following calls:

1. What challenges do we have in developing powders, what value add do varying processes bring?

2. How do we add value across the AM metallic value chain? Does that lower the financial bar to get started with AM?

3. MatfAM – making the process work for your material.

4. What does industry want? How do we help get them there?

Who are the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CfAM)?

The CfAM will use our experience in additive manufacturing and composites with an additional investment from the university to create a variety of processes and validation methods under a single roof. At the time of writing the CfAM has key equipment across the value chain of additive manufacturing and composites from powder measurement, various metallic additive manufacturing technologies and aerospace grade test labs through to our fire & flame retardant materials lab, composite capabilities and machine shop. The CfAM investment strategy also plans to add further powder bed fusion additive manufacturing capability, autoclave and advanced high deposition rate additive manufacturing in the coming months.

What we do with the technology is key. If technology is to support growth of innovation and advancements in the products created in the UK then there is a need for training, people and understanding. The CfAM will hold an open door policy to support micro organisations through to industrial primes. If technology and innovation are to thrive then we must work openly.

Recordings of the event