West Yorkshire Additive Manufacturing Forum launches to drive growth.jpg — Pictured, from left to right, are Alex Tate, business development WYMS; Matt Charlton, technical director Koso Kent Introl; Georgina Kipling, business liaison officer, 3M BiC; Mark Lewis, chief executive WYMS; Neil Dickinson, chief technology officer of Holdson; Mark Baresh, director All 3D Labs; Robert Woollin, industrial engagement manager at AMPI; Robert Kay, professor in advanced manufacturing at the University of Leeds; Kevin Askew, business development manager at Additive-X; Oliver Briggs, director of EduCAD; and Ian Laidler, chief technology officer of Wayland Additive, at the launch of the West Yorkshire Additive Manufacturing Forum

WYMS launches forum to drive the adoption of AM

A charity is working to fuel the growth of additive manufacturing (AM) in West Yorkshire.

The West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services (WYMS) has launched the West Yorkshire Additive Manufacturing Forum, a new initiative aimed at driving innovation, collaboration and industry growth.

The forum’s founding members include 3M BIC, Additive X, All 3D Labs, Advanced Machinery Productivity Institute (AMPI), EduCAD, Holdson Ltd, Industry 4.0 Hub, Koso Kent Introl, Leeds Plastic Engineering, Wayland Additive Ltd. and the University of Leeds.

The WYMS, which has already established the Industry 4.0 Hub from its premises in Brighouse, says it is looking for the new forum to provide a platform for knowledge exchange and to support local businesses in adopting advanced manufacturing technologies.

Mark Lewis, chief executive of the WYMS, said: “The significant improvements in production speed and the relatively low cost of adopting additive manufacturing technology (often referred to as 3D printing) make it an accessible and valuable entry point into advanced manufacturing.

“The forum will encourage and support the exploration, understanding and adoption of additive manufacturing throughout West Yorkshire.

“It will also raise awareness through workshops, technical tasters, and events to introduce and enhance understanding of AM’s potential, and it will showcase the latest advances and promote best practice in this key industry.”

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