The official opening of Xaar plc’s new 3D Centre on the Nottingham Science Park took place at the end of March (www.xaar.com).

The extensive experience of Xaar’s teams in Nottingham and Copenhagen means that the new 3D Centre can provide a comprehensive service relating to high-speed sintering — an additive-manufacturing/3-D printing technology that uses
ink-jet print-heads and infra-red heaters to manufacture products layer by layer from polymer powder materials at much higher speeds (and at lower cost) than other 3-D printing processes.

The official opening was attended by over 30 guests, including staff from ABB, BAE Systems and Jaguar Land Rover.

Professor Neil Hopkinson, who invented the high-speed sintering technology and heads up Xaar’s 3-D printing division, said: “There is no doubt that high-speed sintering technology can transform 3-D printing from a low-volume prototyping solution to a mainstream manufacturing process.

“The step change to high-volume manufacturing will be most efficiently achieved through partnerships with committed stakeholders across the supply chain. Our new 3D Centre in Nottingham is the ideal location for such partnerships to flourish.”