The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has invested in a new hub for sustainable additive manufacturing (AM). This initiative opens avenues for research and development to support the design and manufacturing of net zero products with end-to-end circularity.
The new hub features polymer and ceramic AM machines to manufacture net zero products alongside material reprocessing equipment to recycle waste AM materials and parts into feedstocks.
A Lithoz CeraFab S65 and an Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence desktop system will 3D print products using a portfolio of ceramics, including Alumina, Silicon Nitride and Aluminium Nitride. In addition, the MTC’s investment in a new Carbon M3 machine will enable processing of high-performance polymers for net zero products in sectors including aerospace, defence, and energy. Polymer granulation and feedstock forming systems will also be installed which will result in a fully circular polymer manufacturing process chain at the MTC.
Ross Trepleton, Associate Director for Component Manufacturing at The Manufacturing Technology Centre, said: “As additive manufacturing technology progresses, finding materials that are renewable, bio-based, recycled and recyclable is crucial to enhancing its sustainability credentials.
“We already collaborate with industry stakeholders – such as Ai Build and Weir – on projects to develop and scale-up the use of more sustainable materials in manufacturing. By investing in more cutting-edge equipment, we can continue to support customers and partners in paving the way for a more environmentally-friendly future for this technology.”
Find out more about The Manufacturing Technology Centre’s additive manufacturing portfolio here: https://ncam.the-mtc.org/
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