An innovative European start-up in metal additive manufacturing systems has become the latest member of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry.

AIM3D, a German university spin-off based in Rostock, is a specialist in 3-D printing systems and has developed equipment for the low-cost production of a wide variety of metal parts.

The company’s equipment has been developed to handle a wide range of materials including stainless steel, hard metals and non-ferrous metals. AIM3D works with a range of sectors that use metal additive manufacturing (AM), including medical, automotive and component engineering.

As part of its membership, AIM3D is installing its ‘state of the art’ ExAM 255 AM system at the MTC and it will be the only system of its kind in the UK. The equipment is designed to print standard granular metal feedstock of the type used in metal injection moulding (MIM), enabling a wide range of materials to be 3-D printed, including metals and ceramics.

MTC product development manager Dr Usama Attia said, that once installed, the equipment would be available not just to MTC member companies, but also to other businesses interested in testing the technology.

He said: “By having AIM3D as a member and installing its ground-breaking new system, the MTC will further advance its capabilities in sinter-based AM, which is a fast-growing area of the technology. The new system will complement the MTC’s wide range of sinter-based AM technologies, including metal binder jetting and material jetting.”

AIM3D GmbH CEO Dr Vincent Morrison said: “We are pleased to be working together with MTC and not only becoming a member, but also to have successfully installed our ExAM 255. This is a huge milestone for us as this is our first 3-D printer in the UK. Our partnership paves the way for our future work with other companies in the UK — the collaboration is an important step in bringing the process closer to the user.”