An innovative European start-up in metal additive manufacturing systems has become the latest member of the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.
AIM3D, a university spin-off company based in Rostock in Germany, is a specialist in 3D printing systems and has developed equipment for the low-cost production of a wide variety of metal parts.
The company’s equipment has been developed to handle a wide range of materials including stainless steel, hard metals and non-ferrous metals. AIM3D works with several sectors using metal additive manufacturing, including medical, automotive and component engineering.
As part of its membership, AIM3D is installing its state-of-the-art ExAM 255 additive manufacturing system at the MTC. It will be the only system of its kind in the UK. The equipment is designed to print standard granular metal feedstock of the type used in metal injection moulding (MIM), enabling a wide range of materials to be 3D printed, including metals and ceramics.
Dr Usama Attia, product development manager at the MTC said that once installed, the equipment would be available not just to MTC member companies, but also to other businesses interested in testing the technology.
“By having AIM3D as a member and installing their ground-breaking new system, the MTC will further advance its capabilities in sinter-based additive manufacturing, which is a fast-growing area of the technology. The new system will complement the MTC’s wide range of sinter-based AM technologies, including metal binder-jetting and material jetting,” he said.
Dr Vincent Morrison, CEO of AIM3D GmbH said, “We are pleased to be working together with the MTC and not only becoming a member, but also to have successfully installed our ExAM 255. This is a huge milestone for us as this our first 3D printer in the United Kingdom. Our partnership paves the way for our future work with other companies in the UK. A collaboration is an important step in bringing the process closer to the user.”
The MTC was founded by the University of Birmingham, Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and TWI Ltd. The MTC’s industrial members include some of the UK’s major global manufacturers.
The MTC aims to provide a competitive environment to bridge the gap between university-based research and the development of innovative manufacturing solutions, in line with the Government’s manufacturing strategy. The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.
Pictured: 3D printer system manufacturer AIM3D becomes the latest member of the MTC
