Scottish SMES gain £1m boost in 3D printing initiative
A £1 million project has encouraged more than 100 small to medium sized enterprises (SMES) across Scotland’s manufacturing industry to explore the potential of pioneering industrial 3D printing techniques.
Those behind the three-year Additive Manufacturing Business and Technology Support (Am-bats) initiative say it has helped small businesses across various sectors to learn more about how to design and adopt new processes, with the end goal of developing more sustainable products and entering new markets.
The programme was delivered by National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) – operated by the University of Strathclyde and part of the high Value Manufacturing Catapult – and was funded through the Scottish government’ s advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund via the european regional Development Fund.
A total of 36 projects have taken place, from renewable energy and electric vehicles to food and drink, sports, oil and gas, and medicine, and NMIS said many participating businesses have since created new products or changed existing ones to inc lu de3d printed elements, while several have now adopted AM “due to the many benefits offered such as reduced development times, increased sustainability, design optimisation, faster time to market, and ability to utilise digital inventories”.
Among them, Confidence Plus received support from NMIS to develop a new product designed to support people using ileostomy bags, with several prototypes created for the new glider device made from recycled materials now being trialled.
Additionally, gl as wegia ne co fashion brandrocio, whose signature handbags are individually sculpted from sustainable wood, saw work on a new 3D-printed design that was showcased at Paris Fashion Week. Hamish Menzies, creative director at the firm, said: “For us, exploring the use of a 3D-printed prototype is more cost, time, and material-efficient in the long term. Through using this technology, we are one step closer to improving our endeavours to be even more sustainable, whilst unlocking and embracing the future capabilities of our industry .”