3D-printing for the next generation of product and production solutions

Today, larger corporates across Sweden are evaluating the potential of additive manufacturing as an enabler for their next generation of products. Depending on the corporate strategy, the products can be manufactured and supplied via the sub-supplier network and/or through an in-house manufacturing line. Depending on the sector, the driving forces for the industrialization and adoption of the technology will be different, i.e. sustainability, shorter lead-time, innovative product solutions, light weight designs, part consolidation, decentralized manufacturing, and digital warehouses.

Catalyst for SME

The threshold for entering additive manufacturing can be overwhelming, especially when considering all different part of the value chain that must be in place before a manufacturing line is in place. Even for larger corporates, entering the field of additive manufacturing involves extensive competence development along the entire value chain, massive testing, and trials before having a high-level confidence for launching products on the market, and large capital investments. This threshold is even higher for small and medium-sized enterprises, where guidance and support from beginning is crucial to ensure a start on the right level and in the right direction.

The project 3D-Action will be a catalyst to increase the awareness and knowledge about additive manufacturing, for small and medium enterprises in Västra Götaland region.

The project is setup in three major activities involving:

1. Inspiration seminars, covering different aspects of additive manufacturing such as design, manufacturing, sustainability, diversity, digitalization, spare parts, etc,
2. Feasibility studies, where 3D-Action will visit the companies with interest in additive manufacturing and evaluate their potential in adopting the technology
3. Hands-on training and education, where the identified companies with a potential for an uptake to the technology will be receiving in-depth and hands-on training and education.

Funding

The total project budget is about 16.1 MSEK, funded by Tillväxtverket (TVV) via REACT-EU and the European Regional Development Fund, and Västra Götaland region (VGR).

Connected to AM Center

The 3D-Action is a standalone project, but connected to the Application Center for Additive Manufacturing (AM Center), through the shared infrastructure and personnel. This will ensure a strong and sustainable support to the small and medium-sized enterprises in Västra Götaland region, where research results are shared and directly disseminated to different sectors and organizations via the 3D Action project. In addition, this will ensure to create a co-creation environment by connecting the members of the Application Center of Additive Manufacturing to various small and medium-sized enterprises.

Good examples from companies

During the winter of 2021-2022, 3D-Action arranged three digital breakfast seminars on the theme "Discover the possibilities with additive manufacturing". Here, various companies have shared their experiences of additive manufacturing, opportunities as well as challenges. In Swedish. 

See the companies' presentations here