inside AM

Episode 4:

Bridging Research and Industry, Diversity, and the Future of Additive Manufacturing

Episode 4 of “Inside AM,” Theta Technologies’ podcast series, is now live! In this episode, we welcome Head of Additive Manufacturing at AMRC North West, Evren Yasa to discuss the crucial intersections of research and industry, the importance of diversity, and the evolving landscape of AM. We explore how bridging academic innovation with industrial application is shaping the future of AM and dive into strategies for fostering inclusion within the sector.

This episode is packed with insights on accelerating AM technology adoption, making it a must-listen for those passionate about the growth and future direction of additive manufacturing.

Innovation and Industry: Closing the Gap Between Research and Application

One of the episode’s central topics of discussion is the need to bridge the gap between research and industrial application. Evren Yasa, emphasises that the AMRC NW was established as a world-class research centre to advance technologies and collaborate closely with industry with a mission to supporting the industry journey from low technology readiness levels in academia to viable commercial solutions. The AMRC accomplishes this by prioritising practical, high-impact applications, ensuring that innovations like advanced machining, testing, composites, and additive manufacturing aren’t restricted to lab environments.

This emphasis on industry collaboration has led to notable partnerships, such as their work with universities worldwide and industrial giants like Boeing. By fostering these partnerships, the AMRC NW aims to make impactful contributions, whether by creating jobs, enhancing productivity, or reducing environmental impacts.

Additive Manufacturing’s Unique Advantages and Persistent Challenges

Additive manufacturing is rapidly evolving, but its adoption across sectors is met with challenges, particularly around qualification and inspection. Industries like aerospace have increasingly turned to AM for its ability to produce complex parts that are difficult to manufacture through traditional methods. The reduced lead time – from design to testing – is a significant advantage in sectors where speed and efficiency are critical. For example, AM can bypass the need for specific tooling, reducing both time and material waste, a crucial consideration in aerospace, where high material costs are a concern.

However, qualification remains a significant barrier. The AMRC NW and other research institutions are striving to improve process reliability, aiming to ensure that AM parts meet industry standards consistently. The need for faster, more reliable inspection tools is also crucial, as the existing methods can be time-consuming. Technologies like rapid resonance testing are emerging as potential solutions to this bottleneck, promising quick and effective qualification processes.

Women’s involvement in Engineering and Additive Manufacturing

This episode also highlights the increasing role of women in the engineering and AM fields. Despite progress, engineering remains male-dominated, and women often face barriers when entering the industry. Programs that introduce young girls to STEM are slowly helping to close this gender gap, but more needs to be done.

Evren points out that while the number of women in engineering is rising, many women still end up in non-core roles. To change this, she believes industries must focus on recruitment and retention practices that encourage women to pursue and remain in core engineering positions. On the panel at the TCT event earlier this year, discussions focused on how to make STEM fields more accessible and appealing to young girls, with suggestions to introduce STEM concepts at an early age.

In additive manufacturing, which offers unique opportunities to design and create new solutions, girls can find an engaging path that combines creativity with technical skills. Ensuring diversity in AM and engineering, the panel emphasised, will bring fresh perspectives and drive innovation in the field.

AM’s Future: Knowledge Gaps and Adoption Across Industries

While additive manufacturing’s growth is apparent in aerospace and medical industries, broader adoption is hindered by knowledge gaps, particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Large companies often understand the advantages of AM, but smaller companies may lack the knowledge and resources to integrate it effectively.

Organisations like the AMRC NW play a crucial role in filling this gap, offering bespoke training and education to SMEs to help them identify where AM could benefit their operations. By understanding the specific advantages of AM – such as customisation, reduced waste, and complex geometries – companies can make informed decisions on when and how to use this technology.

However, not every part is suited to AM. The AMRC NW team cautions against trying to replace traditional manufacturing processes with AM without a clear benefit. Instead, they encourage companies to look at AM as a tool for enhancing existing processes and unlocking new possibilities, rather than as a blanket replacement.

Conclusion: The Future of AM and Its Broader Impact

As additive manufacturing continues to grow, its impact across industries will become more significant. However, realising its full potential will require overcoming challenges around qualification, reliability, and education. With efforts to increase diversity and bridge the knowledge gap, institutions like the AMRC NW are helping pave the way for a future where AM is not only a tool for innovation but also a sustainable and inclusive technology.

Watch the full episode for insights on the dynamic world of additive manufacturing, the inspiring work being done at the AMRC, and the steps we can all take to drive this industry forward.