Additive manufacturing consists in applying 3D printing to industrial production, enabling the creation of materials without joints and considerably reducing the need for post-processing.
But even though the practice is used extensively in aeronautics, biomedical and automotive sectors, little is known about how the choice of material influences the load-bearing properties of the final 3D-printed product.
The SIRAMM project aimed to address this critical issue by involving academic partners from Czechia, Italy, Norway, Romania and Serbia. Together, the project partners strove to make a mark in additive manufacturing research while strengthening their research capacity.
Building connections and expertise
The consortium comprised long-time members of the European Structural Integrity Society. “We successfully harnessed our collective experimental, theoretical and numerical modelling expertise to tackle critical challenges in additive manufacturing,” explains Liviu Marșavina, vice-rector for research at Politehnica University Timișoara in Romania, and coordinator of SIRAMM. “The project results provide valuable insights and enhanced knowledge, helping European countries produce more reliable and safer 3D-printed products.”
Overall, the project led to the publication of over 53 scientific papers and substantial impact in terms of numbers of citations.
One, published in ‘Engineering Fracture Mechanics’, became the journal’s most downloaded paper of all time. But perhaps the most noteworthy accomplishment was the project’s profound effect on early-stage researchers (ESRs). The project’s workshops, winter schools, conferences and seminars saw the participation of hundreds of ESRs, and 11 PhD students received opportunities for exchange periods at partner institutions.
Education and industry
The project was completed in March 2023, but its impact continues through the implementation of a ‘Theory and Applications of Additive Manufacturing Materials’ course at University Politehnica Timișoara. “The course is the first of its kind in a Romanian university,” says Marșavina. “It has successfully attracted a large number of students, de facto demonstrating the growing interest in additive manufacturing.” Marșavina adds that the project has also resulted in similar courses being offered at other partnering institutions, including the University of Belgrade in Serbia.
The SIRAMM team plans to expand its research on the integrity and durability prediction for additive-manufactured components. A crucial aim is to integrate advanced methods such as artificial intelligence for reverse engineering problems, which will help to streamline production procedures, save resources and increase the safety level of printed parts. A further research endeavour will involve the study of recycling processes for 3D-printed components, emphasising the importance of circular economy principles in additive manufacturing.
As we look to the future, the SIRAMM project serves as a testament to the power of collaborative, cross-border research and education. Its legacy will continue to drive innovation in additive manufacturing, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.
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