CECIMO, the European Association of the Machine Tool Industry, and the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) have signed an agreement to promote additive manufacturing (AM).
According to the organizations, AM offers design flexibility, mass customization, process sustainability and rapid product development. ‘The overall challenge for AM is to move from a prototype solution to a main manufacturing method and be integrated into existing production environments,’ they said.
CECIMO and EPMA plan to work together to support Europe’s industry through this critical change. Both associations will exchange information on advocacy activities in AM to better coordinate their own actions. EPMA and CECIMO will also look for opportunities on EU project proposals in future calls.
CECIMO representing key companies in AM and engages with policy actors for the creation of an enabling policy, and regulatory and business framework for the uptake of additive technologies in Europe. This includes initiatives such as developing specific AM standards within the remit of EU regulations, advising European institutions on the AM priority research areas for the next EU budgetary program, and producing curricula to boost AM in education.
EPMA, which represents powder metallurgy in Europe, has been working to increase the awareness of AM technology, with a special focus on metal powder AM and to foster the synergy in the metal AM community through research programs, workshops, benchmarking and exchange of knowledge.
This story is reprinted from material from the EPMA, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
