3D-Printing Collaboration Project 3DTY - TAMK

3DTY-project strives to modernize the industry by bringing together actors in research, development and innovation (RDI) throughout Finland that develop and disseminate the use of large-scale 3D printing technology. The aim is to improve the local and national impact of these activities by combining close domestic cooperation with the best of global expertise. The project includes both printing of metals and printing of polymer-/composite materials.

The project comprehensively demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale printing techniques to the production of products in Finnish industry, and promotes the increase and spread of know-how in the technology of large-scale 3D printing in industry. The aim is to generate new business based on competence development and innovation and to support business-oriented renewal of operations.

The nationwide character of the project is emphasized by the fact that the project partners and related stakeholders represent the regions of Northern Finland (University of Oulu, Rovaniemi Education Center REDU), Eastern Finland (University of Eastern Finland, Savonia University of Applied Sciences), Southern Finland (LUT University) and Western Finland (Tampere University of Applied Sciences). Ensuring business impact are the innovation platform DIMECC Oy's ecosystems FAMN (Finnish Advanced Manufacturing Network) and FAME (Finnish Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem).

Additive manufacturing is currently the fastest-growing area of production technology. Finland, which has typically been at the forefront in adopting new technologies, has in this case significantly fallen behind the leading countries, where companies have already achieved excellent results and competitive advantages through the adoption of 3D printing technologies. In Finland, various organizations have acquired 3D printing equipment, and there is already some expertise in different regions. However, on a national level, the know-how is fragmented, and the full potential of this expertise is not being leveraged to support the development of industry.

Moreover, the majority of the equipment acquired is capable of producing only relatively small parts, which does not meet the needs of Finnish industry. This is because Finnish industry primarily manufactures investment goods, where the size of parts, components, and structures tends to be significantly larger.

The goal of the project is to modernize industry by bringing together Finnish RDI actors who develop and disseminate large-scale 3D printing technologies, and to enhance both national and local impact through close domestic collaboration and the best international expertise available.

Another objective of the project is to comprehensively demonstrate the applicability of large-scale 3D printing technologies in the manufacturing of Finnish industrial products, as well as to promote the growth and dissemination of know-how related to these technologies within industry. In practice, this means fostering new business based on competence development and innovation, and supporting industry-driven renewal.

The project also aims to strengthen the capacity of Finland’s 3D printing RDI actors to form impactful, large-scale project entities and broad collaboration networks.

Furthermore, the project seeks to contribute to the implementation of ecosystem agreements in university cities and the smart specialization strategies of regions, in order to promote knowledge- and innovation-driven growth.

The project will initiate extensive nationwide collaboration among 3D printing RDI actors in Finland. In the long term, this will elevate Finland’s position among the leading European countries in the utilization of 3D printing, through fruitful cooperation between RDI organizations and companies. This will be reflected, for example, in the increased participation of Finnish actors in Horizon Europe projects related to 3D printing and digitalization, as well as in the growth of national joint initiatives.

Enhanced RDI activities and nationwide collaboration will also lead to an increase in publications, theses, invention disclosures, innovations, and spin-off companies in the field. As a long-term outcome of the project, Finnish companies will increasingly take advantage of the opportunities offered by 3D printing and invest in related technologies. The number of service providers specializing in large-scale 3D printing will also grow.

EAKR Euroopan aluekehitysrahasto 2021-2027