Research

UCD opens $25.7 million advanced manufacturing research center with 3D printing focus

The I-Form Advanced Manufacturing Research Center for 3D printing and digital technologies has been opened at University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland.

The facility has been created at a cost of €22.2 million ($25.7 million) provided by the government-backed Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and industry stakeholders.

Commenting on the launch Heather Humphreys, Ireland’s Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, said, “Innovation is at the core of the Government’s science strategy and is exemplified by the visionary technologies being developed here in I-Form,”

“It is crucial that Ireland continues to deliver impactful research outcomes in advanced manufacturing.”

Digitization, simulation and analytics

Research at the I-FORM Center is sorted into three platforms: Digitization of Additive Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing Process and Simulation, and Advanced Analytics and Engineer Feedback. Furthermore, the focus under these umbrella platforms can be split into the five following Spokes:

– Material development
– Process Monitoring
– Additive manufacturing for production
– Smart integrated device and tooling
– Digital Process Engineering

The I-Form center's research focuses. Image via I-Form
The I-Form center’s research focuses. Image via I-Form

So far, over 31 companies have pledged to work with the I-Form including Michigan headquartered medical technology firm Stryker, that has an expertise in 3D printed spinal implants.

Though based at UCD, the center also has academic partners in Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Institute of Technology Sligo, the NUI Galway, Waterford Institute of Technology and Maynooth University.

In other recent news, I-Form founding academic partner TCD recently became home a $4.9 million (€4.3 million) 3D bioprinting facility, created by Dublin’s AMBER research facility and multinational medical device and pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson.

“we are changing how things are made”

The I-Form’s official launch was presided over by Ireland’s Minister for Innovation, Research and Development John Halligan, SFI Director General Professor Mark Ferguson, VP for Research at UCD Professor Orla Freely, and I-Form Center Director Professor Denis Dowling.

“Through our research into digital solutions for materials processing technologies, we are changing how things are made,” concluded Professor Dowling.

“[…] I-Form will drive regional development through industry collaborations in areas of advanced manufacturing and digital technologies for Industry 4.0.”

From left to right: UCD Professor Orla Freely, SFI Director General Prof Mark Ferguson, Ireland's Minister for Innovation, Research and Development John Halligan and I-Form Centre Director Prof Denis Dowling. Photo via SFI
The I-Form Center’s official opening. From left to right: UCD Professor Orla Freely, SFI Director General Prof Mark Ferguson, Ireland’s Minister for Innovation, Research and Development John Halligan and I-Form Centre Director Prof Denis Dowling. Photo via SFI

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Featured image shows, from left to right: UCD Professor Orla Freely, SFI Director General Prof Mark Ferguson, Ireland’s Minister for Innovation, Research and Development John Halligan and I-Form Centre Director Prof Denis Dowling. Photo via SFI