The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) (www.the-mtc.org) in Coventry has been chosen by ASTM International — a leading global standards organisation based in the USA — to be the first non-US founding partner of its Center of Excellence in Manufacturing.

The MTC’s participation will involve a funded project to advance additive-manufacturing standards and innovation in Europe and beyond. It is supported by a consortium of leading European research organisations.

The MTC and the Center’s other partners — Auburn University, NASA and EWI — will work towards establishing international standards that support innovation in additive manufacturing.

3-D printing is used in many sectors and involves a variety of materials, producing everything from simple tools to major parts for aerospace engines.

The MTC houses the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing, bringing together the most comprehensive combination of equipment and capabilities in the UK.

It is also home to the European Space Agency’s Additive Manufacturing Benchmarking Centre.

MTC technical director Ken Young said: “We are excited to join this vitally important effort to build a strong technical foundation for the future of additive manufacturing.”