Follow-up on research needs for industrialization of metal additive manufacturing (FuRAM)

Research Project, 2020 – 2021

Purpose and goal: The project´s goal was to produce a clear, updated and well-industry-based picture of the current situation and research needs in additive manufacturing (AM) of metal in Sweden.
A roadmap for research and innovation to increase the industrialization of metal AM in Sweden was developed in 2017 and was followed by an open call for projects by SIP Metallic Materials. In this project, a reconciliation was made of the status of the area and potential needs for efforts in order to further accelerate industrialization in Sweden. The results have been summarized in an open report. Expected results and effects: Metal AM is under rapid development, with great potential for industrialization and increased Swedish competitiveness. This project has evaluated the outcome of previous efforts and tried to answered the question of how possible new efforts should be focused and delimited in order to best support the development towards industrialization of AM of metal. A report that describes state-of-the-art, including prioritized research and development needs onwards, has been delivered. The expected effect is faster industrialization of metal AM in Sweden through prioritized efforts. Approach and implementation: The project has mapped the current situation and prioritized research and development needs, with special focus on the materials side, which is needed to be able to meet challenges and take advantage of opportunities in metal AM along its entire value chain. The project´s goal was to propose direction and delimitation for possible initiatives, as a basis for assessing the need for further initiatives in the area of AM of metal. The conclusions are well anchored among different stakeholders, including actors in material development and need owners.