Consortium formed to further Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing in industry
March 25, 2021
Seven specialist organisations have come together, supported by £1.2 million in funding from Innovate UK, to launch High Productivity Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (HWPAAM), an academic-industrial partner project.
The business-led, commercially focused project will commence using seminal research carried out by Cranfield University as a basis to develop a novel solution for the UK’s industrial sector. The project will focus on supporting an ecosystem for the widespread adoption of AM technologies in industries such as construction and resources.
The organisations committed to HPWAAM are:
- BOC, Guildford, Surrey: industrial gas provider and member of the Linde Group
- Cranfield University: postgraduate university
- Foster + Partners, London: international design studio
- Steelo, London: lean manufacturer of construction systems
- WAAM3D, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: a spin-off company of Cranfield University
- Weir Group, Glasgow, Scotland: global mining equipment engineer
- Wintwire, Sheffield, South Yorkshire: specialist SME wire manufacturer
“This project is an exciting opportunity to focus on the distinct research capabilities of our partners, towards developing an economically feasible way of printing large scale, complex designs at entirely new speeds,” commented a spokesperson for the consortium. “The critical funding provided by Innovate UK reflects the credibility of the project as well as our ambition to create future value for our partners and the wider UK economy.”
“3D printing has proven numerous benefits over traditional processes in terms of speed, design, sustainability and cost. This research will explore the next generation of solutions that High Productivity Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing can unlock. We are grateful for the full support of all our partners as we embark on the next chapter of Additive Manufacturing.”
