Additive manufacturing
Making impossible parts possible with cutting-edge machinery and leading engineering minds
Our capability
Unlock the potential of additive manufacturing
We specialise in working with organisations looking to get more from their additive manufacturing (AM) processes or increase their knowledge of what’s possible. As the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM), we are at the forefront of additive technology and have access to the widest range of additive expertise and facilities in the country, making us uniquely placed to take on your project, no matter how complex it may be.
We work with organisations of all sizes, from SMEs to large multinationals, across multiple sectors including Aerospace, Space, Defence, Power & Energy and many more. Our experts help these organisations unlock the benefits of additive manufacturing to enhance product performance through increased design freedom, enable the creation of complex geometries and show them how to reduce part count through consolidation of component assemblies.
We also help organisations develop AM solutions which provide them with the capability to reconfigure supply chains for reshoring production or addressing part obsolescence. Additive manufacturing can contribute to improved environmental credentials compared to conventional methods as well as minimise inventory and accelerate time to market.
Meet Ruaridh, our Additive Manufacturing Expert
Ruaridh is an Additive Manufacturing Expert at the MTC, home of the National Centre of Additive Manufacturing (NCAM). He supports new enquiries across Metal, Polymer, and Ceramic AM, and has experience building and running AM operations and research teams. His current interests include addressing qualification challenges, space applications in AM, developing large AM applications, and commercialisation of AM. Ruaridh also serves on the AMUK steering board and TCT AM Editorial Advisory Board.
Proud to be the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing
MTC in Coventry is the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM), with the mission of advancing additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and supporting the adoption of AM in various industries. It offers expertise, research, and development capabilities to help businesses leverage AM for innovative product development and improved manufacturing processes. It's the home to cutting-edge and unique equipment and experts who are leading the development and adoption of AM in the UK.
Utilising additive manufacturing expertise to deliver innovation
Improve product performance
Create intricate and complex geometric structures that may be challenging or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods, enhancing performance and enabling the production of highly customised and tailored components, using advanced materials.
Decrease cost
Create complex assemblies as a single, consolidated part, reducing the need for multiple components, simplifying assembly processes, and lowering production and storage costs.
Reduce lead time
Enable rapid prototyping, allowing for the quick iteration of designs and speeding up the product development cycle. This accelerates the overall production timeline as products can be manufactured on demand, eliminating the need for extensive tooling and part inventories, reducing the time between order placement and product delivery.
Minimise waste
Build objects layer by layer, adding material only where needed. This precision minimises waste, improving the environmental credentials of components. Some additive manufacturing technologies allow for the use of recyclable materials.
Simplify supply chains
Make on-site or local production of components easier, reducing reliance on complex and lengthy supply chains. Additive manufacturing also enables the production of components on demand, reducing the need for extensive storage and simplifying supply chain logistics.
Knowledge transfer
We often work with organisations as part of their team and when progress is made, we help share the knowledge with their teams, allowing them to continue working independently integrating a new process or machine as part of their additive offering.
Our approach
A structure approach to additive manufacturing covering:
- Additive manufacturing strategy
- Product and process development
- Production implementation
- Hands-on experience
- Industrial and collaborative R&D projects
- Training courses
Additive manufacturing strategy
Whether you need help assessing if parts are right for additive manufacturing, developing a business case, or creating a technology roadmap we’ll help you work out what steps to take next.
A trusted partner
- The UK’s government-appointed National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM), the UK’s independent additive manufacturing body
- European Space Agency AM benchmarking centre and ASTM AM Centre of Excellence
- Experts in the end-to-end process chain for complex or large-scale AM components
- Access to the widest selection of end-to-end AM capabilities in the country including metal, polymer, and ceramic AM technologies
- Extensive academic, industrial, and governmental networks
- Process and vendor agnostic, ensuring that customers receive truly independent advice on the right additive manufacturing technologies for them
- Industry-leading research and project experience in all key AM areas – Advanced materials, complex/large parts and sustainable practices
Our newest machine
AMCM M290 - 2 Dual Nlight
- 2 x nLIGHT AFX lasers with beam shaping capabilities from 85 µm Gaussian to 210 µm, and both lasers are full field.
- The build volume is 250 x 250 x 325mm (xyz).
- Features in-process monitoring capability exposure OT.
- Atmosphere control at <50 ppm.
- Preheating to 500°C.
- Industry leading smart calibration and beam power monitoring available.
- A huge variety of materials available, such as Copper, Inconel, Aluminium, Steels and Refractories alloys.
- Offering in depth material investigation upon request.
Insights & news
Latest success stories, insights and news
FAQs
Your questions answered
What is additive manufacturing and how is it different from 3D printing?
Additive manufacturing and 3D printing can be used interchangeably. However additive manufacturing is typically used in an industrial context.