The Danish Technological Institute (DTI), an independent not-for-profit R&D institution with headquarters in Taastrup, is to open a new $14.5 million 3-D printing centre.

The AM-Line Center will feature manufacturing facilities and training resources for SMEs, and it will offer professional advice on investing in 3-D printing.

It is set to open at the site of the DTI’s existing Aarhus facility this spring. A report published by the DTI in 2016 showed that only 4% of Danish SMEs were making use of 3-D printing technologies.

The DTI’s (www.dti.dk) product development leader, Claus Erichsen Kudsk, noted at the time that neighbouring nations had a more competitive edge.

“Faster and easier development of prototypes is not only a particular prerequisite for continuing to maintain competitive jobs, but also for maintaining a high level of product innovation — and having the opportunity to launch new products faster.”

The DTI, which has had 3-D printing facilities since 1989 and has recently been involved in 3-D printing concrete structures and metal, sought to increase the uptake of 3-D printing in Denmark, when it announced the new centre in April 2017.

The AM-Line Centre will give SMEs access to four metal 3-D printers and a variety of plastic 3-D printers. It will also offer post-processing equipment, surface treatment and quality assurance via CT scanning.