Additive manufacturing (AT), also known as 3D print or additive manufacturing (AM), has evolved from being limited to prototype production only to a method of serial production and is today used in a variety of areas such as architecture, biomedicine, food and industry.

There is a great potential in additive manufacturing, but development is hampered by lack of skills in companies and educational institutions and inadequate cooperation between companies and development environments.

The three research environments Sports Tech Research Center, NTNU and SINTEF have a long experience of AT in metal and are some of the pioneers in the area. Based on the needs and technical challenges of the regional industry, but also the large Swedish-Norwegian industries, one will work together to solve issues regarding practical use and industrialization of AT processes.

The main goals are to develop and offer expertise in AT in product development and production processes to the regional companies. In addition, regional companies already using the technology support to develop both products and business models. Other goals are developing new materials, offering material characterization and improving and developing new methodologies and new products for AT in metal.

The project also aims to establish Jämtland / Härjedalen, Västernorrland and Tröndelag as a knowledge and industrial center in additive manufacturing, or 3D printing in metallic materials.

By collaborating between research and industry and taking advantage of the expertise of the various research environments, the project can help strengthen companies in the region so that they get new, unique products on the market that increase their competitiveness in a rapidly expanding international market.

In the long run, the ambition is to develop the region in the area AT to the extent that other companies are tempted to establish themselves in the region or seek partnerships and business with regional players.

The project co-operates with Sports Tech Research Center at Mid University, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and SINTEF Raufoss Manufacturing AS. Another twelve companies and organizations participate in the cooperation.

The project is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.